Each contributor to this volume has attempted to translate Plato's subtle and elusive Greek into clear and idiomatic English; beyond this minimum requirement I have not sought to impose any uniformity of style. Nor have I required any particular philosophical stance, or any particular interpretation of any of the dialogues: each contributor has been free to expound, argue and assess as he thought fit. ...

As the father of Western philosophy, who transformed Greek thought with his questioning insights into life and ethics, Socrates was a powerful inspiration - and major irritant - to the Athenians of his day. After his trial and execution on charges of heresy and the corruption of young minds, his greatest pupil, Plato (c. 427-347 BC),wrote these early dialogues as an act of homage. Rich in drama and humour, they include the controversial Ion, a debate on poetic inspiration; Laches, in which Socrates seeks to define bravery; and Euthydemus, which considers the relationship between philosophy and politics. Together, these seven dialogues provide a definitive portrait of the real Socrates and raise issues still keenly debated by philosophers, forming an incisive overview of Plato's philosophy.

These translations convey the eloquence of the original works. In his general introduction, Trevor J. Saunders discusses Socrates' philosophy. This edition also includes introductions to each dialogue, an appendix, bibliographies and an index.

  PREFACE TO 2005 EDITION 

   EDITOR'S PREFACE 

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

INTRODUCTION TO SOCRATES 

Childish Questions

Socrates and His Predecessors

The Sources for Socrates

Induction

Definition

Practical Implications

Socrates' Paradoxes

Socratic Eudaemonism

Other Paradoxes

The Supreme Socratic Paradox

Socratic Elenchus

Socrates and Plato

Socrates and Greek Democracy

The Purpose of the Dialogues

           ION

Introduction

Summary

Translation with running comment

         LACHES

Introduction

Summary

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          LYSIS

Introduction

Summary

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        CHARMIDES

Introduction

Summary

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HIPPIAS MAJOR AND HIPPIAS MINOR

Introduction

Introduction to Hippias Major

Summary

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Introduction to Hippias Minor

Summary

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       EUTHYDEMUS

Introduction

Summary

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        APPENDIX

Some Fragments of Aeschines of Sphettus

     BIBLIOGRAPHIES 

      SELECTIVE INDEX

OF GREEK PERSONAL NAMES