Comments on: Suggestions about Socrates http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/ a blog for political philosophers Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:13:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Patrick S. O'Donnell http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-467 Patrick S. O'Donnell Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:34:01 +0000 http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-467 I recommend one read Franciso J. Gonzalez's <em>Dialectic and Dialogue: Plato's Practice of Philosophical Inquiry</em> (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1998) before writing anything about Socrates (one learns, for instance, what courage meant for Socrates, how it was exemplified in dialectical dialogue, etc.). And then there's Richard Kraut's absolutely indispensable <em>Socrates and the State</em> (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1984). Just two books, but wonderful stuff. (I sent you an e-mail as well suggesting the above, and then I decided to register.) All good wishes, Patrick I recommend one read Franciso J. Gonzalez’s Dialectic and Dialogue: Plato’s Practice of Philosophical Inquiry (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1998) before writing anything about Socrates (one learns, for instance, what courage meant for Socrates, how it was exemplified in dialectical dialogue, etc.). And then there’s Richard Kraut’s absolutely indispensable Socrates and the State (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1984). Just two books, but wonderful stuff.

(I sent you an e-mail as well suggesting the above, and then I decided to register.)

All good wishes,
Patrick

]]> By: Ari Kohen http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-463 Ari Kohen Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:11:20 +0000 http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-463 Simon, I want to argue that, even though the sequence of dialogues that culminate in Socrates’ death might seem to be the most obviously critical of the life of the philosopher, these dialogues actually serve to enshrine the character of Socrates as the second of two classical heroic archetypes that inform Western thought (along with Achilles), as he actively chooses death rather than a longer life in which he cannot devote himself to wisdom. Simon,
I want to argue that, even though the sequence of dialogues that culminate in Socrates’ death might seem to be the most obviously critical of the life of the philosopher, these dialogues actually serve to enshrine the character of Socrates as the second of two classical heroic archetypes that inform Western thought (along with Achilles), as he actively chooses death rather than a longer life in which he cannot devote himself to wisdom.

]]> By: Simon Cabulea May http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-458 Simon Cabulea May Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:33:34 +0000 http://publicreason.net/2008/02/14/suggestions-about-socrates/#comment-458 What are you going to argue about Socrates and heroism Ari? What are you going to argue about Socrates and heroism Ari?

]]>