Symposium and Phaedrus by Plato Plato

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Symposium and Phaedrus by Plato Plato

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Symposium and Phaedrus by Plato Plato

This combined book of two of Plato's most famous dialogues, Symposium and Phaedrus, contemplates the theme of love, looking at the phenomenon through various philosophical lenses. Symposium wonders about the nature, origins, and meaning of love, especially about the relationship of love and beauty. Phaedrus discusses the psychological background of love, comparing those who are in love or have love with those who do not. Both works offer insight into Platonic doctrine in the well-known and easy-to-read Jowett translation. One of the greatest Western philosophers who ever lived, Plato (c. 428-347 B.C.) was a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates' teachings, often using him as a character in scripts and plays (Socratic dialogues), which he used to demonstrate philosophical ideas. Plato's dialogues were and still are used to teach a wide range of subjects, including politics, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and, naturally, philosophy.

This combined book of two of Plato's most famous dialogues, Symposium and Phaedrus, contemplates the theme of love, looking at the phenomenon through various philosophical lenses. Symposium wonders about the nature, origins, and meaning of love, especially about the relationship of love and beauty. Phaedrus discusses the psychological background of love, comparing those who are in love or have love with those who do not. Both works offer insight into Platonic doctrine in the well-known and easy-to-read Jowett translation. One of the greatest Western philosophers who ever lived, Plato (c. 428-347 B.C.) was a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates' teachings, often using him as a character in scripts and plays (Socratic dialogues), which he used to demonstrate philosophical ideas. Plato's dialogues were and still are used to teach a wide range of subjects, including politics, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and, naturally, philosophy.

Born to a politically connected and aristocratic family between 428 and 423 B.C., Plato received a good standard of education at an early age, and was able to immerse himself in the intellectual community of Ancient Athens. His most notable contemporary and mentor was Socrates, an eccentric but highly capable philosopher who was to feature as a principle character in most of Plato's scholarly writings. Owing to his high standard of education in art, mathematics, rhetoric and philosophy, Plato was able to assemble a comprehensive philosophy of his own via his favoured form of writing which was the dialogue. In total, over thirty of these Platonic dialogues have survived the passage of time - and together they form the backbone of Ancient Greek philosophy. After enjoying success as a writer and academic, Plato in 385 B.C. founded The Academy. This school was to unite the most capable thinkers of Greece, and would help to advance learning throughout Greek society's Golden Age. It was in the Academy that Plato would instruct and apprentice Aristotle, who was to go on to gain renown as a philosopher and scholar. Owing to his reputation Plato was hired by Dion, whose nephew Dionysus II was the rightful ruler of Sicily - Dion wished his nephew to receive a good education in the art of sound and wise governance. However Dionysus II became suspicious and accused both Plato and Dion of conspiracy - after some time spent under arrest, Plato returned to his homeland. In his late period, Plato continued to tutor and mentor the best young minds of Athens, and he would perish around 348 B.C. having lived beyond the age of eighty. Today Plato's legacy remains lauded: the philosopher ably used logic and reason to imbue insight on democratic governance, while developing a cohesive philosophy on topics such as art, metaphysics, justice and the 'Theory of Forms' - his iconic take on how ideas related to reality.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780486277981
ISBN 10 0486277984
Title Symposium and Phaedrus
Author Plato Plato
Series Thrift Editions
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Dover Publications Inc.
Year published 2000-02-01
Number of pages 96
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note Unavailable