Trial and Death of Socrates

The Trial and Death of Socrates

Written by: Plato

Translated by: Benjamin Jowett

What makes a book a good book? A heart-wrenching story line, a character who you relate to, one that you can learn from…or simply the basic rising action, climax, and resolution; The Trial and Death of Socrates is a good book but not in the same sense you would achieve from reading Anne Rice or Shakespeare. Plato's dialogues compose the ending times of a great man, Socrates and the impact he has on his friends and followers. Through the four dialogues, the reader obtains a thorough understanding of the Socratic Method (by example) and the point of view that Plato followed through his studies with Socrates.

Plato, born in Athens around 427 B.C., is considered to be one of the earliest philosophers. A student of Socrates, he emphasizes values over physical science and follows the Delphic Oracle's motto "Know thyself." Plato also believed that the unexamined life is not worth living and disagreed with the Sophists method of "paid-learning." Around 380 B.C. Plato founded a school in Athens that he named the Academy. According to The Philosopher's Lighthouse, an educational website sponsored by Oracle ThinkQuest, the Academy was an university of higher learning which included physical science, astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy. Plato died around the age of eighty in Athens.

Benjamin Jowett (born April 15th, 1817 and died October 1st, 1893) is considered to be one of the greatest teachers of the 19th century and renowned for his multiple translations of Plato's dialogues among other works. Jowett was educated at St. Paul's School in London and was elected as master of Balliol College, Oxford.

Summary of the Dialogues

The first of the four dialogues found in The Trial and Death of Socrates is Euthyphro and takes place prior to the trial of Socrates. Socrates encounters Euthyphro outside the court of Athens. Socrates has been called to court on charges of impiety by Meletus, and Euthyphro has come to prosecute his own father for having unintentionally killed a murderous hired hand.

"He must be a wise man, who, observing my ignorance, is going to accuse me to the city, as his mother, of corrupting his friends…In a way that sounds strange at first, my friend. He says that I am a maker of gods; and so is prosecuting me, he says, for inventing new gods, and for not believing in the old ones."

Socrates begins by flattering Euthyphro. He suggests that Euthyphro must have great knowledge in religious matters if he is willing to prosecute his own father on dutiful charge. Euthyphro agrees that he does know everything about what is holy and Socrates urges Euthyphro to help him understand holiness, in order to build a case against