Introduction to Plato’s Dialogues (8 vols.)
Overview
Learn to engage Plato’s dialogues as his first readers would have, with the Logos Introduction to Plato’s Dialogues. This collection is perfect for both students and enthusiasts interested in studying under Plato in the original Greek for the first time. In addition to the Loeb Classical Library editions of the Republic, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Phaedrus, this collection includes the latest edition of Anne Groton’s From Alpha to Omega—a Greek language text book structured around selections from actual Ancient Greek writings, designed to kick-start comprehension of classic texts. Lastly, Edward Ross Wharton’s Etyma Graeca provides a vocabulary foundation in 5,000 words from which most all other classical Greek words are built.
Philosopher and mathematician A.N. Whitehead once claimed that “the safest general characterization of European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.” It is difficult to disagree with him. Plato wrote seminal works on ethics, political theory, morality, epistemology, and metaphysics. His concept of forms went on to have a great influence on Christian theology in the post-Apostolic period. Many of the ideas that form the basis for Western democracy come from his Republic. Now you can experience the great Philosopher in his own words.
- Equips classical enthusiasts to dialogue with Plato in the original Greek
- Provides a contemporary Greek language textbook and basic lexicon designed around selections from actual Ancient Greek writings
- Includes Plato’s Republic, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Phaedrus in the Loeb Classical Library editions
The Introduction Series equips beginners to engage the likes of Plato, Homer, and Virgil in the original Greek and Latin. Each collection contains authoritative editions of the original language manuscript with an English translation, and a contemporary Greek/Latin language textbook as well as a basic lexicon, selected to fit the text at hand. It has never been easier for lovers of the classics to study these texts in their original language. Start using Logos, and discover the classics with the eyes of an expert.
- Title: Introduction to Plato’s Dialogues
- Volumes: 8
- Pages: 2,529
- Resource Type: Ancient Texts
- Topic: Ancient Philosophy
Partially includedPlato (427–347 BC) was born in Athens to an aristocratic family. A student of Socrates until the latter’s death, he also studied the works of Herculitus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoreans. Following the death of Socrates, Plato spent a number of years travelling around the Mediterranean. He eventually returned to Athens and founded a school of philosophy called the Academy (named for the field in which it was located), where he later taught Aristotle.
Plato wrote works on ethics, politics, morality, epistemology, and metaphysics. He is best known for his theory of forms, the theory that the qualities that define a thing’s existence (redness, beauty) exist in an abstract realm of forms, separate from matter. Plato believed that what was true, and therefore real, must be unchanging. Because the material world is in a constant state of change it is not true reality but a mere illusion. Plato taught that love is the longing for the Beautiful in its purest, most abstract, form. Consequently, love is what motivates all the highest human achievements.