Nor in what may be termed platos abridgement of the history of philosophy soph. Dialogues of plato, volume 2 yale university press. Plato s symposium is a series of speeches on love given at a party in ancient greece. In these middle and late dialogues, of which the symposium is one, the figure of socrates serves more as a mouthpiece for plato s own views. The endnotes clarify any ambiguities and obscurities in the original text, identifying all references to people, places, gods, et cetera. Many of them agree that the dialogues were written over many years and that they appear to have a slightly different tone, which reflects plato s intention in writing them. Oct 19, 2019 plato s inquiries were all the more resonant because he couched them in the form of dramatic and often highly comic dialogues, whose principal personage was the ironic, teasing, and relentlessly searching philosopher socrates. For instance, there is brief mention in the symposium of the theory of forms, which is entirely platos. Symposium translated by benjamin jowett 1871 the republic translated by benjamin jowett 1871 theaetetus translated by benjamin jowett 1871 parmenides translated by benjamin jowett 1871 late dialogues. The elaborate structure distances the reader from the philosophical ideas in platos work. The symposium and the phaedrus platos erotic dialog.
For instance, there is brief mention in the symposium of the theory of forms, which is entirely plato s. The dialogue is constructed as a report of several speeches about love that were presented at a dinner party given by the playwright agathon on the occasion of his. At once a historical document, a philosophical drama that enacts abstract ideas in an often lighthearted way, and a literary masterpiece, it has exerted an influence that goes well beyond the confines of philosophy. Pdf the symposium book by plato free download 1 pages. The apology, phaedo and crito of plato, the golden sayings of epictetus, the meditations of marcus aurelius. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable men attending a banquet. The german critics, to whom i refer, proceed chiefly on grounds of internal evidence. Further, in platos middle and later dialogues, the figure of socrates no longer represents the man himself. Platos dialogues frequently treat several topics and show their connection to each other. Allen reveals the unity of plato s intentions in thesymposium, explores the dialogue s major themes, and links them with plato s other dialogues. Scholars have studied platos many dialogues very carefully. This is one work that i would almost force everyone to read if i could. Allens superb new translation of platossymposiumbrings this classic text to life for modern readers.
The text has been credited with influencing how western literature portrays and interprets love and beauty. Further, in plato s middle and later dialogues, the figure of socrates no longer represents the man himself. This isnt an exhaustive list of plato s dialogues, but does cover the most widelyread ones. On one level the book deals with the genealogy, nature and purpose of love, on another level the book deals with the topic of knowledge. This superb collection contains excellent contemporary translations selected for their clarity and accessibility to today s reader, as well as an incisive introduction by erich segal, the unexamined. The later dialogues are deeper developments of the philosophy expressed in the earlier ones. Instead, the figure of socrates is used as a mouthpiece by which plato advances his own views. The greek text of plato s dialogues composing the nine thrasyllian tetralogies see above, plus that of several of the spurious dialogues definitions, about justice, about virtue, demodocus, sisyphus, eryxias and axiochus, is published in critical edition in the five volumes of platonis opera in the oxford classical texts oct collection. Speeches are given in direct discourse, but conversation among members of agathons party are retold in aristodemus words, reminding the reader of the layers of narration. He attended socrates trial and that traumatic experience may have led to his attempt to design an ideal society. Symposium by plato, part of the internet classics archive. In rouses pages, soctrates strength of mind, his dedication to the philosophical truth, are borne in on the modern reader with something of the power that. Platon is a nickname from the adjective platys broad. Platos narrative style switches point of view so frequently that it can be confusing for students newly approaching the dialogues.
In the symposium, several figures gather in an evening gathering that was commonly known as a symposium and give their views on the god of love. In the symposium, plato values philosophy, as exemplified by socrates, over a number of other arts which are given as points of comparison. Symposium by plato introductory dialogue and the speech of. Many of them agree that the dialogues were written over many years and that they appear to have a slightly different tone, which reflects platos intention in writing them. Learn the important quotes in symposium and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book. A fascinating discussion on sex, gender, and human instincts, as r. Apr 17, 2017 cite platos the symposium in the bibliography by listing the author, title, translator, city, publisher, year of publication and medium.
Scholars have studied plato s many dialogues very carefully. Allen reveals the unity of platos intentions in the symposium, explores the dialogues major themes, and links them with platos other dialogues. Platos dialogues are not only a memorial to socrates, but also the happier days of his own family. In this splendid collection, scott buchanan brings together the most important of platos dialogues, including. The discussion of moral and philosophical problems between two or more characters in a dialogue is an illustration of one version of the socratic method. Rothschild s fiddle, on happiness, the apology, heart of darkness, conscience, genesis, alienated labour, social contract. Some of these dialogues employ socrates as a character, but most simply employ the philosophical style similar to plato while substituting a different character to lead the discussion.
Platos erotic dialogues s u n y series in ancient greek philosophy. This superb collection contains excellent contemporary translations selected for their clarity and accessibility to todays reader, as well as an incisive introduction by erich segal, the unexamined. Plato wrote the symposium about the ancient athenian cultural tradition in which men would drink, discuss philosophical subjects, compose speeches and sing songs. Here is a complete audiobook of platos symposium, translated by benjamin jowett. This isnt an exhaustive list of platos dialogues, but does cover the most widelyread ones. Platos erotic dialogues edition 1 available in paperback. The dialogue is constructed as a report of several speeches about love that were presented at a dinner party given by the playwright agathon on the occasion of his winning first prize in a tragedy contest in athens. Allen supplements his translation with a commentary that not only enriches our understanding of platos philosophy and the world of greek antiquity but also provides insights into presentday philosophical concerns. The symposium is one example of platos dialogues that address the subject of love.
Platos inquiries were all the more resonant because he couched them in the form of dramatic and often highly comic dialogues, whose principal personage was the ironic, teasing, and relentlessly searching philosopher socrates. Buy a cheap copy of great dialogues of plato book by plato. For an english language edition of plato s dialogues, consider cooper ed. In these middle and late dialogues, of which the symposium is one, the figure of socrates serves more as a mouthpiece for platos own views. Indeed, scholars who find in them a progression of ideas set the dialogues in a temporal order. Therefore, i have edited the pronouns and formatting for claritys sake. This audiobook contains platos most notable books, narrated brilliantly by kevin kollins. Socrates is renowned for his dialectic approach to knowledge often referred to as the socratic.
The question and answer section for symposium by plato is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The dialogues of plato by plato meet your next favorite book. Free download or read online the symposium pdf epub book. How are platos conclusions in the dialogue the symposium based on the ideas of sophocles. Other dialogues create a rich tableau of intellectual life in athens in the fourth century b. Socrates s ancient words are still true, and the ideas sounded in platos dialogues still form the foundation of a thinking persons education. The republic is just overwhelming, and it is way too do. Persons of the dialogue apollodorus, who repeats to his companion the dialogue. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read symposium and the phaedrus, the. This is a dialogue between socrates and the rhapsode or reciter, ion of ephesus, who declares himself unequalled as a reciter and exponent of homer.
The fact that the philosopher in his maturity called himself platon is indisputable, but the origin of this name remains mysterious. Introduction to platos symposium the symposium tells the story of a drinking party in which the guests agree to put aside their desire for wine, women and music and deliver speeches in honor of eros, a word often translated as love but more aptly described as sexual desire or passionate love. The first four dialogues recount the trial execution of socratesthe extraordinary tragedy that changed platos life and so altered the course of western though. Socrates s ancient words are still true, and the ideas sounded in plato s dialogues still form the foundation of a thinking person s education. Allens superb new translation of platos symposium brings this classic text to life for modern readers. The first edition of the novel was published in 385, and was written by plato. The symposium is a philosophical text by plato dated c. Quite a few comments have been posted about symposium. Symposium was written around 384 bc, and many would regard it as plato s finest dialogue, from an artistic point of view, and the most enjoyable to read or listen to. The symposium is considered a dialogue a form used by plato in more than thirty works but in fact, it is predominantly a series of essaylike speeches from differing points of view. Plato, the greatest philosopher of ancient greece, was born in athens in 428 or 427 b. I have summarized platos dialogs some much more than others using the collected dialogues bollingen series princeton university press 19611989, edited by edith hamilton and huntington cairns. Most of the dialogues not on this list can be read after the readings listed as introductory here.
The main characters of this philosophy, classics story are socrates. In the spirit of freshness, i will focus on one very important section, where socrates relates the words of his teacher diotima on the. Phaedrus, pausanias, eryximachus, aristophanes, agathon, socrates, alcibiades, a troop of revellers. As apollodorus explains to his friend, he had recently retold it to glaucon, having heard it from aristodemus, one of the fellows at the dinner. His wideranging commentary includes discussions of greek religious, social, and sexual practices, the conceptual connections between the symposium and freud, the influence of the symposium on later. Each of the dialogues is covered with a short outline, a detailed outline including some greek text, and an interpretive essay. Plato is one of the few philosophers who also writes good literature. But it was already obvious in antiquity that not all of these were from platos own hand. Symposium was written around 384 bc, and many would regard it as platos finest dialogue, from an artistic point of view, and the most enjoyable to read or listen to. What is the best dialogue to start reading plato with. Enjoy these four amazing philosophical works that have stood the test of time. Socratess ancient words are still true, and the ideas sounded in platos dialogues still form the foundation of a thinking persons education. He studied under socrates, who appears as a character in many of his dialogues.
The symposium is one of the foundational documents of western culture and arguably the most profound analysis and celebration of love in the history of philosophy. Allen reveals the unity of platos intentions in the. Boethius most famous book the consolation of philosophy is a socratic dialogue in which lady philosophy interrogates boethius. The introductions deal with the nature of the dialogues themselves as philosophical texts and with plato s philosophical assumptions and key concepts, as well as with the necessary background of athenian society.
The symposium by plato meet your next favorite book. This is one work that i would almost force everyone to read if. By uncovering the structural design of the dialogue, platos dialectic at play aims at revealing a plato for whom the dialogical form was not merely ornamentation or philosophical methodology but the essence of philosophical exploration. The symposium and the phaedrus platos erotic dialogues. For an english language edition of platos dialogues, consider cooper ed. It is also the most lavishly literary of platos dialoguesa virtuoso prose performance in which the author, like a playful maestro, shows off an entire repertoire of characters, ideas, contrasting viewpoints, and iridescent styles. This volume is an introduction to platos dialogues and.
How are plato s conclusions in the dialogue the symposium based on the ideas of sophocles. As plato matured, however, he developed an increasingly distinct voice and philosophical outlook. Platos symposium is one of the most loved classics from the ancient world, a work of consummate beauty as both philosophy and as literature, most appropriate since the topic of this dialogue is the nature of love and includes much philosophizing on beauty. The symposium is the second most famous of all of platos diaglogues second only to the republic. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 1 pages and is available in paperback format. The works contained in this audiobook include the republic, the apology, crito, and symposium. Apollodorus, who repeats to his companion the dialogue which he had heard from aristodemus, and had already once narrated to glaucon. There are many reasons for this, including the keyhole glimpse it gives us of athenian society. His wideranging commentary includes discussions of greek religious, social, and sexual practices, the conceptual connections between the symposium and freud, the influence of the symposium on. This volume is an introduction to platos dialogues and the ideas they explore, so serving as a readable account of his writing for the uninitiated. The symposium, one of platos middleperiod dialogues, is generally considered to have been composed around 385380 b.
The dialogues at a party at agathons house, which occurred years previous to this telling in athens, are retold in this piece by apollodorus to a friend, who is only described as a rich businessman. Plato presents his mentor in the symposium as a simple and hardy man, a bit of a flirt, though immune to sexual advances and alcohol alike. Jan 01, 2010 platos dialogues frequently treat several topics and show their connection to each other. Yet the republic is just this manyheaded, polytonic, multilevelled, supercomplex piece of writing about the most important thing in life. Jun 02, 2017 here is a complete audiobook of plato s symposium, translated by benjamin jowett. The symposium is one of platos most accessible dialogues, an engrossing historical document as well as an entertaining literary masterpiece.
The great books reading and discussion program first series, volume 1. It is the first major philosophical text on love in western literature. The rhapsodes songstitchers were men who made a living by giving public recitations from the great epic poets. Rothschilds fiddle, on happiness, the apology, heart of darkness, conscience, genesis, alienated labour, social contract. Also included among other things is an essay distinguishing platos idea of eudaimonia from our contemporary notion of happiness and brief descriptions of. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable men. Platos dialogue, the symposium part 1 introduction to. Allens translation and commentaries, a black book published as part of a series by yale university press. The works that have been transmitted to us through the middle ages under the name of plato consist in a set of 41 socalled dialogues plus a collection of letters and a book of definitions.
Allen reveals the unity of platos intentions in thesymposium, explores the dialogues major themes, and links them with platos other dialogues. In literature, love is often portrayed as an object of deep human concern. The symposium, one of plato s middleperiod dialogues, is generally considered to have been composed around 385380 b. The individual translators for quotations included are noted below. In this splendid collection, scott buchanan brings together the most important of plato s dialogues, including.