Phaedo

Plato

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Author Description

Plato's Phaedo is deservedly one of the best known works of Greek literature, but also one of the most complex. Set in the prison where Socrates is awaiting execution, it portrays Plato's model philosopher in action, spending his last hours in conversation with two other seasoned members of his circle about the fate of the human soul after death. Professor Rowe attempts to help the reader find a way through the intricate structure both of individual passages and arguments and of the dialogue as a whole, stressing its intelligibility as a unified work of art and giving equal attention to its literary and philosophical aspects. The notes also aim to provide the kind of help with Plato's Greek which is needed by comparative beginners in the language, but the commentary is intended for any student, classical scholar, or philosopher with an interest in the close reading of Plato.

Menrva's Summary

THE THESIS

This work investigates the nature of the human soul and the philosophical arguments for its immortality as presented by Socrates during his final hours. Plato, through his characterization of Socrates, constructs a rigorous dialectical framework to explore metaphysical questions regarding death, the soul, and the afterlife. The text serves as both a philosophical treatise and a literary dialogue, utilizing the impending execution of Socrates as a catalyst for examining the ethical and logical foundations of Platonic thought. Professor Rowe provides a scholarly apparatus designed to guide readers through the intricate logical structure of the arguments while maintaining focus on the dialogue as a unified artistic composition.

THE SCOPE MAP

What You Will Find

Detailed analysis of the arguments for the immortality of the soul.
Commentary on the linguistic nuances of the original Greek text.
Examination of the structural integrity of the dialogue as a whole.
Contextual background on the Socratic method and the historical setting of the prison.

THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE

Experts frequently cite this edition as a foundational resource for students and scholars engaging in the close reading of Platonic texts. Readers often note the balance between linguistic assistance for beginners and the sophisticated philosophical commentary provided for advanced researchers.

Page Count:
314

Publication Date:
1979-05-03

Publisher:
Clarendon Press

ISBN-10:
0198140142

ISBN-13:
9780198140146

Philosophy

Classical

Dialogue

Immortality

Greek