This volume concludes Professor Guthrie's exploration of Plato's philosophy, delving into the intricacies of his ideas and teachings. It offers a comprehensive analysis of Plato's contributions to Western thought, examining key themes and concepts that have shaped philosophical discourse. Through detailed commentary, the work highlights the relevance of Plato's insights in contemporary discussions, providing readers with a deeper understanding of his enduring legacy.
Focusing on the pivotal figures of the Sophists and Socrates, this volume explores a significant shift in philosophical thought during the fifth century, emphasizing the transition from natural philosophy to human-centered inquiry. It highlights the contributions of thinkers like Protagoras and Gorgias, who challenged established norms of morality, religion, and knowledge, sparking critical debates. Their ideas prompted Socrates and Plato to defend traditional values, marking a transformative period in Athenian intellectual history. Each part is self-contained with updated bibliographies and indexes.
The book offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of fifth-century thought, showcasing a blend of deep scholarship and broad coverage. Professor Guthrie's clear and engaging writing style makes complex ideas accessible, providing a balanced perspective that stands out in the field. It is recognized as a significant contribution to the understanding of this pivotal era in history, praised for its depth and clarity by critics such as the American Historical Review.
This volume contains new translations of two dialogues of Plato, the Protagoras and the Meno, together with explanatory notes and substantial interpretive essays. Robert C. Bartlett's translations are as literal as is compatible with sound English style and take into account important textual variations. Because the interpretive essays both sketch the general outlines of the dialogues and take up specific theoretical or philosophic difficulties, they will be of interest not only to those reading the dialogues for the first time but also to those already familiar with them. The Protagoras and the Meno are linked by the attention each pays to the idea of virtue: the latter dialogue focuses on the fundamental Socratic question "What is virtue?," the former on the specific virtue of courage, especially in its relation to wisdom. An appendix contains a short extract from Xenophon's Anabasis of Cyrus that vividly portrays the figure of Meno.
Surveys the great age of Greek philosophy from Thales to Aristotle. Explains the ideas of Plato and Aristotle in the light of their predecessors rather than their successors, and looks at the main strands of thought in Greek philosophy.
