Phaedo

Plato

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Author Description

The Phaedo is acknowledged to be one of Plato's masterpieces, showing him both as a philosopher and as a dramatist at the height of his powers. For its moving account of the execution of Socrates, the Phaedo ranks among the supreme literary achievements of antiquity. It is also a document crucial to the understanding of many ideas deeply ingrained in western culture, and provides one of the best introductions to Plato's thought. This new edition is eminently suitable for readers new to Plato, offering a readable translation which is accessible without the aid of a commentary and assumes no prior knowledge of the ancient Greek world or language.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Menrva's Summary

THE THESIS

The Phaedo investigates the nature of the soul and the philosophical justification for the immortality of the human spirit in the face of impending death. Plato, writing from the perspective of a student of Socrates, utilizes the final hours of his mentor's life to construct a rigorous dialectical argument. By examining the theory of Forms and the process of recollection, the text establishes a foundational framework for Western metaphysical inquiry and the ethical pursuit of wisdom.

THE SCOPE MAP

What You Will Find

A detailed account of the final conversation between Socrates and his disciples in prison.
Philosophical arguments regarding the transmigration of the soul and the nature of death.
The application of the Socratic method to complex ontological questions.
Historical context regarding the trial and execution of Socrates in ancient Athens.

THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for understanding Platonic thought and the development of Western philosophy. Readers frequently note the accessibility of this specific translation, which serves as an effective entry point for those unfamiliar with ancient Greek academic traditions.

Page Count:
144

Publication Date:
2009-04-15

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
019953893X

ISBN-13:
9780199538935

Philosophy

Classical

Ancient History

Ethics

Metaphysics