Symposium and Phaedrus (Dover Thrift Editions: Philosophy) - Softcover

Plato

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0486277984 ISBN 13: 9780486277981

Publisher: Dover Publications, 1994

Synopsis

Among the most influential thinkers in Western history, Plato presented his thought in a series of dramatic dialogues in which different speakers present various aspects of a philosophical problem. This volume contains two of the most interesting and important of these dialogues.
The philosophic goal of the Symposium is to find the ultimate manifestation of the love that controls the world, leading to mystic union with eternal and supercosmic beauty. Phaedrus discusses the psychology of love, resulting in the concept of the familiar Platonic "forms" as objects of transcendental emotion. In this inexpensive edition of the renowned Jowett translation, they will be welcomed by anyone interested in Greek thought or the philosophy of Plato.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

It has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. And of the dialogues, the "Symposium is the most delightful and accessible, requiring no special knowledge of ancient Greek philosophy or customs. Dramatizing a party in fifth-century B.C. Athens, the deceptively unassuming "Symposium introduces--in the guise of convivial after-dinner conversation--profound ideas about the nature of love. In "Phaedrus, here published together with the "Symposium, Plato discusses the place of eloquence in expounding truth. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to Western thought through the centuries.

About the Author:

Plato ranks among the most familiar ancient philosophers, along with his teacher, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle. In addition to writing philosophical dialogues — used to teach logic, ethics, rhetoric, religion, and mathematics as well as philosophy — he founded Athens' Academy, the Western world's first institution of higher learning.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0486277984
• ISBN 13: 9780486277981
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96