Bøger af Plato

In Ion, Plato depicts his teacher, Socrates, in conversation with a public performer of Homer's epic poems. Amusing in the performer's vanity and the philosopher's even observations, their dialogue examines the nature of poetry, expression and performance and reveals the author's opinions on their best definition and value.

Euthyphro by Plato, is a Socratic dialogue whose events occur in the weeks before the trial of Socrates (399 BC), between Socrates and Euthyphro. The dialogue covers subjects such as the meaning of piety and justice. As is common with Plato's earliest dialogues, it ends in aporia.In this dialogue, Socrates meets Euthyphro at the porch of the archon basileus (the 'king magistrate') at that time. Socrates tells him that he is preparing to go to court against the charges of Meletus on the grounds of impiety. Euthyphro tells Socrates that he is going to court himself to prosecute his father for binding a worker in chains and leaving him to die. This has granted him the ire of his own family who believe his father was in the right. The worker had killed a fellow worker, which they believe exempts his father from liability for leaving him bound in the ditch to starve to death. Since Euthyphro seems assured of himself, Socrates asks him to define piety. His help will clarify Socrates' case in the courtroom. If Socrates is asked to define piety, he can simply rely on Euthyphro's definition. This however leads to the main dilemma of the dialogue when the two cannot come to a satisfactory conclusion. Is something pious because the gods approve of it or do the gods approve of it because it is pious? This aporic ending has led to one of the longest theological and meta-ethical debates in history.The dialogue in Euthyphro occurs near the court of the archon basileus (king magistrate), where Socrates and Euthyphro encounter each other; each man is present at the court for the preliminary hearings to possible trials.Euthyphro has come to present charges of murder against his own father who, after arresting one of his workers (Thetes) for killing a slave from the family estate on Naxos Island, tied him and threw him in a ditch where he died of exposure to the elements (3e-4d) while Euthyphro's father waited to hear from the exegetes (cf. Laws 759d) about how to proceed. Socrates is astonished by Euthyphro's confidence in being able to prosecute his own father for the serious charge of manslaughter, despite the fact that Athenian Law allows only relatives of the dead man to file suit for murder (Dem. 43 §57). Euthyphro dismisses the astonishment of Socrates, which confirms his overconfidence in his own critical judgment of religious and ethical matters

"Alcibiades I" is a dialogue written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, believed to have been written around 390 BCE. The dialogue features a conversation between Socrates and Alcibiades, a prominent Athenian politician and military commander. In the dialogue, Socrates attempts to educate Alcibiades on the true nature of politics, virtue, and wisdom. Alcibiades is presented as arrogant and ignorant, and Socrates attempts to humble him and show him the limitations of his knowledge. Throughout the dialogue, Socrates questions Alcibiades on his beliefs about politics and morality and exposes his inconsistencies and contradictions. Socrates argues that true wisdom comes not from external accomplishments or material possessions, but from self-knowledge and inner virtue. "Alcibiades I" is considered one of Plato's most important works, and is notable for its exploration of the relationship between politics and philosophy. The dialogue also provides a fascinating insight into the political and social world of ancient Athens, and the personalities and ambitions of its leading figures. Plato was a prominent philosopher of ancient Greece and is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. He is best known for his philosophical dialogues, which explore a wide range of topics, including ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology. Plato's ideas have had a profound influence on Western philosophy and continue to be studied and debated by scholars today.

"Theaetetus" is a philosophical dialogue written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, believed to have been written in the late 4th century BCE. The dialogue is named after its main character, a young mathematician named Theaetetus who is being questioned by the philosopher Socrates. The dialogue explores the nature of knowledge, with Socrates questioning Theaetetus about his understanding of different forms of knowledge, such as perception, belief, and true knowledge. Throughout this book, Plato uses the character of Socrates to express his own philosophical views about knowledge and the nature of reality. The dialogue also includes a discussion about the role of the philosopher and the pursuit of wisdom, with Socrates arguing that true knowledge can only be attained through philosophical inquiry and contemplation. "Theaetetus" is considered one of Plato's most important dialogues, and it has had a significant influence on Western philosophy.

The Republic is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato around 380 BC, concerning justice, the order and character of the just city-state, and the just man. It is Plato's best-known work, and has proven to be one of the world's most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually and historically.In the dialogue, Socrates talks with various Athenians and foreigners about the meaning of justice and whether the just man is happier than the unjust man. They consider the natures of existing regimes and then propose a series of different, hypothetical cities in comparison, culminating in Kallipolis, a city-state ruled by a philosopher king. They also discuss the theory of forms, the immortality of the soul, and the role of the philosopher and of poetry in society.

Plato's Phaedo is a philosophical dialogue that recounts the final moments of the Greek philosopher Socrates's life and his discussions on the immortality of the soul. The dialogue centres around the philosophical argument for the existence of an immortal soul and the nature of death. Socrates presents his theory that the soul is eternal and separable from the physical body, suggesting that it continues to exist after death. Plato explores several philosophical ideas through the dialogue, such as the theory of forms, the nature of reality, and the concept of the soul's journey after death. The dialogue reflects Plato's belief in the existence of a realm of eternal and unchanging forms, which the soul can access through reason and contemplation. It invites readers to contemplate the nature of reality, the pursuit of wisdom, and the potential transcendence of the soul beyond the physical realm.

Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, made significant contributions to the field of philosophy, including his exploration of laws and their role in society. In his dialogue "The Laws," he delves into the concept of justice and the ideal construction of laws to create a just society. Plato's perspective on laws revolves around the idea that they should reflect and promote virtue, order and the common good of society. He argues that laws should be based on reason and the understanding of universal principles rather than arbitrary decisions made by individuals. Plato's exploration of laws serves as a cornerstone in the study of ethics, political science, and the philosophy of law.

Plato's Cratylus is a philosophical dialogue that examines the nature of language, its relationship to reality, and the role of names and words in conveying meaning. Socrates engages in a discussion with Cratylus, who argues that names have an inherent connection to the objects they represent. Hermogenes contends that names are arbitrary conventions agreed upon by humans, lacking any inherent connection to their referents. Plato explores the question of whether language is a mere convention or if it has a deeper relationship with reality. Through Socratic dialogue, he investigates the nature of language, the power of names, and the possibility of a true and correct language that accurately reflects the world. The dialogue raises profound questions about the nature of language and its relationship to truth and knowledge. It invites readers to reflect on the power and limitations of language, the process of naming, and the complex relationship between words and the world they seek to describe.

Plato's Symposium is a philosophical work that explores the nature of love, desire, and the pursuit of wisdom. It takes the form of a dialogue among a group of prominent Athenians gathered at a symposium, where each speaker presents different perspectives on love and its manifestations. Plato delves into the idea that true love goes beyond mere physical attraction and encompasses the quest for wisdom and the transcendence of the individual self. He presents the concept of "Platonic love," which transcends physical beauty and aims for a higher, more abstract form of love rooted in intellectual and spiritual connection. Through vivid and engaging dialogue, Plato invites readers to contemplate the nature of love and its profound impact on individuals and society. Symposium remains a timeless philosophical work that continues to inspire discussions on the nature of love, desire, and the pursuit of wisdom.

Plato's Theaetetus is a philosophical dialogue that explores the nature of knowledge, perception, and the definition of truth. It takes its name from its central character, Theaetetus, a young mathematician whose understanding of knowledge is challenged and examined by Socrates. Through a series of thought experiments and philosophical arguments, Plato explores different theories of knowledge, including sensory perception, rationalism, and the nature of concepts and definitions. The dialogue delves into topics such as the role of perception in acquiring knowledge, the relationship between true belief and knowledge, and the limitations of human understanding. The dialogue challenges conventional notions of knowledge and invites readers to critically examine their own understanding of truth and certainty. It remains a significant work in the field of epistemology and continues to influence discussions on the nature of knowledge and perception.