Defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, Crito (Oxford World's Classics)

would recommend for philosophy buffs or for school

Needed for college class. Great price/fast delivery.

This is a great book in helping understand the concepts of the subject so that you can do well in class!

These three dialogues together with the Phaedo cover the trial of Socrates. Of the three dialogues in this volume, the Euthyphro is the most abstract, and is the only one of that matters for the metaphysics of Plato, and is an extreme example of Socratic irony (e.g., if Euthyphro is an expert on religion then Meletus should indict Euthyphro for corrupting Socrates). In this dialogue Socrates tries to sort out a precise definition of what "the holy" is. He also talks about something like causation: "it is not because it is in a state of 'being loved' that an object is loved by those who love it; rather, it is in that state because it is loved by them."The Defence of Socrates (the Apology) is an explanation of why Socrates thought his mission of questioning people who claimed to know things important and worth dying for: "are you not ashamed that, while you take care to acquire as much wealth as possible, with honour and glory as well, yet you take no care or thought for understanding or truth, or for the best possible state of your soul?" I can't think of anything that would better settle the mind of a thinking person who believes themself to be doing something right and is being punished for it. Socrates is more serene and has more to say than Jesus does in his trial and execution: Socrates never breaks down like in Mark 15:34 and he does not merely say "they don't know what they are doing" like in Luke 23:34 but explains why it is better to suffer evil than do it and that evil is done out of ignorance.The Crito is probably the most interesting of these three dialogues for students of law; although the Defence is in a court, Socrates is not seriously trying to win the vote but is explaining himself. In the Crito, Socrates argues to Crito why one should follow unjust laws as long as they do not demand that one do evil. The Crito is

For teachers looking for something between a comprehensive collection of the dialogues and a photocopied hand-out, this little edition nicely fits the bill. It's an extremely user-friendly translation with a generous introduction and copious but clear and concise endnotes. The editor admittedly errs on the side of verbosity in the introduction, going to excessive (not to mention gratuitous) lengths to argue that the "Crito" is not inconsistent with the "Apology." Also, rather than substituting "defense" for "apology" and " goodness" for "virtue," he might have accomplished the goal of a clear and accessible edition by giving the reader a bit more credit. Finally, many instructors and readers would understandably be forgiven if they shunned this edition because of its omission of the "Phaedo," the final chapter in the trial, sentencing, and punishment of Socrates.

A most excellent resource for anyone interested in not only studying rhetoric, but seeing shining examples!

Do not, I repeat, do not spend your money on this. It was shown on a page with the Oxford Classics of Philosophy edition of Euthyphro, Defence of Socrates, and Crito, as if a hardback edition, but it is not from Oxford or any publisher at all. Cheap, double-space text, nearly to the edge of the paper, translated by Henry Cary in the 19th century, someone trolling for mistakes in orders. Amazon should exclude them from their site. Truly worthless. Straight to the recycling bin.

I ordered this book almost a month ago. I was pretty excited about this book and it never came. It's still not here. I need it for my philosophy class. I don't know if I will order anything from this person again.

Muito melhor que a maioria das traduções que se poderia encontrar em português. Caso você saiba inglês, opte preferencialmente por essas traduções de Platão da Oxford World Classics.

good translation and must have , beautiful cover

The trial and death of Socrates constitute a defining moment in the history of our civilisation. It is brought to us in the writings of Plato and Xenophon. This book brings together three of the works of Plato dealing with the subject in a new, modern translation.Socrates was charged with not honouring the old gods of the State, but introducing new deities, and also corrupting the youth.He was condemned to death by drinking poisoned hemlock, by the vote of the jury: 280-221. Socrates could have pleaded for a lesser penalty, but he didn't. He could have escaped, as urged by his friends, but he refused. He died, as he lived- by and for his convictions.Were the charges against Socrates just? Was the jury fair? Did Socrates really defend himself, or defend himself well? Did his words and manners help or damage his case? These are questions which have troubled us. We have to seek the answers through the writings of Plato and Xenophon.This is where a modern translation helps.This book covers three works of Plato. Euthyphro covers the events just before the trial. Here, Socrates is seen engaged in the question of understanding piety or holiness! Just imagine! On the day he is charged with a grave offence, he is engaged in an ethical issue, apparently not concerning him directly! No, that is Socrates! He is searching for the sources of the 'good life' and piety is one of its pillars.The Defence of Socrates actually covers his speech and arguments defending himself. But in fact, he did not directly defend himself. This whole speech is a defence of his basic dictum: "The unexmined life is no life for a human being to live".(38a).In Crito, Socrates is portaryed as dealing with the subject of the relatons between the individual and the State. Why does Socrates refuse to escape, even though the charges are untrue and unproven? That is due to his sense of his 'moral obligation' to Athens. He has consciously chosen to be its citizen, and so is morally bound to obey it laws. The punishment in his case may be unfair, but the laws are not! he is morally bound to obey the laws as a true citizen.Thus we see the stuff of which real heroes are made.This book is a compact edition. The introduction is very informative and helpful for understanding. I personally do not agree with the translator's view that Plato's portrayal of Socrates belongs to the genre of "literary, or philosophical fiction, rather than biography or history" (Introduction, page viii and ix). Where do we find pure history but portrayed through the mind of the historian? But the introduction is good. Socrates was searching for a basis of morality , apart from Nomos or traditional conventions, or the command of the gods.The three books here provide his answers from three perspectives.There is also another dialogue, ' Phaedo' which too has a bearing on this subject.. We wonder why that has been left out of this selection. But this book is good as it is. Every translation and introduction adds to our understanding.

A well designed and well produced great classic, and at an inexpensive price too. We have no excuses to be unaware of Socrates' contribution to our world when his work is made so easily available to us.

Stress mad me to forget this book. It arrived some days ago.Thank You,José Ponte