Brilliant work of a Philosophical Genius. Review on Five Dialogues - Plato

Hi friends, for those who have a penchant for reading some good philosophical works, but are bogged down by the thought of reading some really long stuff, here’s a chance to rejoice. I would recommend such readers to go for the book “Five Dialogues” authored by the great Greek philosopher and mathematician Plato. This book is a mere 156 page read. Plato under the guidance of his master, the great Socrates and associating with his famous competent disciple Aristotle majorly helped in structuring the grassroots of western philosophy.

This book is centrally based on the subject of the trial and execution of Socrates in Athens, Greece. The five dialogues depicted in the book are actual dialogues that took place between Socrates and the various characters involved during the process of trial and the subsequent execution of Socrates. These dialogues have a vast and deep philosophical meaning which is just admirable. The five dialogues depicted in the book are as under:-

Euthyphro: - Socrates was charged by some politicians for not believing in Athenian Gods and for corrupting the youth. He was tried before the Athenian jury who were keen to execute him as soon as possible to favour a particular political group who were hunting for Socrates’s head. This first dialogue in the book represents the verbal confrontation in the Athenian court between Euthyphro, a priest and an advocate and Socrates. Euthyphro possesses great advocacy skills but still he proves no match for the witty, wise and discerning Socrates. Socrates questions Euthyphro and asks him to explain the meaning of piety and impiety. The dialogue that unfolds between both of them thereafter is just exemplary.

Apology: - In this second dialogue, Socrates defends himself in the court against the charges levied on him regarding impiety and for corrupting the youth of that times. He adduces the dictum of the Delphic oracle that he is the wisest of all and tries to explain it by methodical reasoning and vindication. In the end upon his conviction by the biased jury, he volitionally accepts his death penalty, but also warns that in the future there will be many more like him who will revolt to change the face of the political scenario and for enhancing social reforms in the benefit of the nation.

Crito: -In this third dialogue Socrates tries to persuade his friend Crito that it is better for him (Socrates) to accept the death penalty levied by the jury rather than escaping from the prison. He says that he had been wronged by certain people and not by the society or the laws and hence escaping from the prison will then make him a traitor in the eyes of the people who trust him and prove the politicians and jury correct in their stand of executing him. The entire dialogue between Crito and Socrates is a refined discourse that is more than excellent.

Meno: - In this fourth dialogue, Socrates counters with some very persuasive arguments with his another accuser Meno. The main theme of this dialogue consists of the explanation of real virtue by Socrates using brilliant epistemology. At a particular juncture in this dialogue when Meno says that virtue is knowledge and it can be taught, Socrates objects to it by saying that till now he hasn’t met anyone in his entire life who practices genuine virtue and hence no one qualifies for teaching it and it’s in fact a God’s gift that cannot be taught to anyone. The arguments that then subsequently follow between Meno and Socrates and the geometrical means that is used by Socrates for explaining the true essence of virtue is sublime and outstanding.

Phaedo: - In this fifth and final dialogue Socrates converses with one of his disciples, Phaedo who was present at the death bed of Socrates. Here Socrates tells Phaedo that a man should never commit suicide because he is neither the owner of his life nor the master of his entity. He goes on to say that we are the property of God. God is our guardian and we are God’s chattels. The body and soul are two different entities and a philosopher has to free himself from his body because it’s only his body that acts as a deterrent in achieving and discovering truth.

Plato has proven through his numerous philosophical writings and dialogues that he is second to none when it comes to exhibiting philosophical prowess and this one is no exception. The philosophy of Plato and Socrates have enchanted and spiritually enlightened lovers of philosophy for thousands of years and are considered to be the cornerstone of all philosophy. This book is a treat for souls who are inclined towards philosophy and are ready to conquer the subtleties of philosophy. For those who experience difficulty in interpreting some phrases, the footnotes at the end of the pages help in understanding the dialogues better. I would strongly recommend this book to ardent followers of philosophy as well as for the first time enthusiasts who want to indulge in tasting the nectar of the art of philosophy.