Analysis Of The Last Days Of Socrates

Aubree Tuschka

Dr. Ward

Western Civ.

May 1, 2014

Book Précis

The author Plato, translated by Hugh Tredennick presents in “The last days of Socrates”, (469-399 BC) a string of four dialogues called Eathyphro, The Apology, Crito, and Phaedo that depicts Socrates trial, death and conscripts the philosophers final days. His own opinion and corruption of the youth, gave Plato the chance to portray and expand his own philosophy and arguments of the accountability of peoples actions and how it effects society in addition to his credence in the “morality of the soul”

Plato aims to present a moral portrayal of Socrates and his expressive philosophy that he explicated during his last days by beginning with a prologue called “Euthyphro” that describes Socrates in dramatic action while arguing “the definition by division” with Euthyphro and their different views about the meaning of piety. The purpose of this discussion was for Socrates to prepare for his own defense in the court trial for being accused of “impiety”.

Plato then illustrates a dialogue “The Apology” which he corresponds with a series of three segments; Socrates speech expressing his defense for himself at his trial against the Athenian Council. The second segment is the decision by the court, and the third is his prosecution that results to sentencing him to his death.

Furthermore, the dialogue “Crito” describes the argument between Crito and Socrates in his prison cell, about the arrangement to help Socrates escape from prison. Socrates chooses to stay because it would be unjust to the law and that he must stay and die to prove he is innocent. His argument concludes that prejudice cannot be solved with prejudice, though he is not content with the law he must endure it....

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...ompared to the previous readings which discusses the idea for the purpose of living.

However, Plato uses dialogue structure for writing to render different points of views to have his readers form their own opinion. In order for the readers to think for themselves Plato uses natural conversation in his writings so the reader can weigh each characters viewpoints during their conversation with one another throughout the story.

Plato is dramatically stimulate for open-mindedness because his literature never speaks to his readers directly instead he draws his readers attention by strong questioning from all different perspectives which gives the readers the chance to think for themselves and form their own idea and actions. All in all Plato did not convince me of the many different arguments and beliefs that were conversed, it only had me question the disputes.