Audiobook4 hours
The Trial and Death of Socrates
Written by Plato
Narrated by Bruce Alexander
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
The Trial and Death of Socrates remains a powerful document, partly because it was a true – perhaps in certain parts verbatim – account of the end of one of the greatest figures in history. In Apology Socrates defends himself before the Athenian court against charges of corrupting youth. Phaedo is the account, by a young man, of the actual last words and moments of Socrates. These are presented with scene-setting introductions to the historical situation. They are performed, unabridged, by a cast led by Bruce Alexander as Socrates, following his successful reading of The Republic for Naxos AudioBooks.
Author
Plato
Plato (428−348 BCE) was a philosopher and mathematician in ancient Greece. A student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle, his Academy was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely regarded as the father of modern philosophy.
Reviews for The Trial and Death of Socrates
Rating: 4.573333333333333 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
75 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the classic tale of Socrates facing execution, told by his student Plato. If it really happened this way, it does make Socrates a remarkable man (except in his treatment of his wife in the last days!)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Some people suggest that Socrates never existed, that he was just an invention of Plato. I disagree. There is personality in Socrates, he is not just a teacher, he comes across in Plato's writings as a personality. I find his last days, to be the most human. Socrates arguing as he always did, only this time for his life. Western philosophy begins with Socrates. It is a must read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It takes a little getting used to, but once you do the dialogues are a delight to read. Refreshing as ever and good for your powers of rhetoric.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great material. Nicely read and awesome to listen. Would recommend this.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Who abandons their family (providing for two kids) in pursuit of pure contemplation disconnected from the practical world…people like Socrates. Get your head in the game mate; stop living in the clouds and be more pragmatic. Oh that’s right, you chose to die as a “holy” and “wise” martyr but rendering 2 kids fatherless. I think you forgot about the philosophy of fatherhood/parenting and child development.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A really nice edition with a clear, readable translation and sensible notes. There are a number of ways 'in' to Plato and this is one of them. You have an introduction to the character and biography of Socrates, as well as his Method, but you're eased in gently and the heavy philosophy doesn't weigh in until Phaedo. The text is also set into divisions so you're less likely to begin reading a particular line of argument without having time to finish it in one go.
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