Plato's Dialogues comprise the most influential body of philosophy of the Western world. Written in the form of debates, the Dialogues are filled with philosophy's continual search for truth and the moving drama of intellectual conflict. The Republic, a brilliant discussion of the ideal state, presents Plato's basic views of education, justice, and the philosopher-king, the wise and just prototype of a ruler who could cure the world's ills. In the dialogues Apology, Crito, and Phaedo, the imposing figure of Socrates, Plato's beloved mentor, emerges as Socrates discusses respect for law and authority, human virtue, and the immortality of the soul. The additional dialogues contain thinking on such ageless subjects as art, virtue, and the nature of love and beauty.

Socrates" ancient words are still true, and the ideas found in Plato"s DIALOGUES still form the foundation of a thinking person"s education. This superb collection contains excellent contemporary translations selected for their clarity and accessibility to today"s reader,as well as an incisive introduction by Erich Segal,which reveals Plato"s life and clarifies the philosophical issues examined in each dialogue,The first four dialogues recount the trial and execution of Socrates--the extraordinary tragedy that changed Plato"s life and so altered the course of Western thought. Other dialogues create a rich tableau of intellectual life in Athens in the fourth century BC,and examine the nature of virtue and love,knowledge and truth, society and the individual,Resounding with the humor and astounding brilliance of Socrates, the immortal iconoclast, these great works remain powerful, probing, and essential.

Inoduction

APOLOGY

 Translated by Benjamin Jowett

CRITO

 Translated by F. J. Church

EUTHYPHRO

 Translated by R. E. Allen

PHAEDO

 Translated by R. S. Bluck

PROTAGORAS

 Translated by B. A. F. Hubbard

 and E. S. Kamofsky

MENO

 Translated by Benjamin Jowett

SYMPOSIUM

 Translated by Seth Benardete

GORGIAS，Part III

 Translated by W. C. Hembold

Selected Bibliography