[Up Next: Lysis] The subject of "Laches" is courage - it begins with two military men - Lysimachus and Melesias - fretting over what to teach their sons.  They both confess to having failed to learn what courage is for themselves, and for their sons, they want better.  Their sons, we learn, are both named after their … Continue reading Plato Project #9: Laches →

[Up Next: Laches] In this dialogue, Ion of Ephesus speaks with Socrates.  Ion is identified as a "rhapsode," which means he was a professional performer of epic song.  He claims to be the best interpreter of Homer alive.  Socrates allows him this claim, but is more concerned with the question of the reason for Ion's success, or … Continue reading Plato Project #8: Ion →

[Up Next: Ion]   Who's the greater hero - Achilles or Odysseus?  There is a timelessness to that question, since the two well-known Homeric heroes - the one of the Iliad and the of ther of the Odyssey - seem to represent two diametrically opposed ways of being a hero.  Achilles is a swift-footed and strong warrior; Odysseus is … Continue reading Plato Project #7: Hippias Minor →

[Up Next: Hippias Minor] Hippias Major considers the question of what is beautiful, though really only reached conclusions about what it is not.  It begins with Hippias (I'm guessing he's a sophist) boastfully explaining that he gives the best and most beautiful speeches, because he makes the most money of anyone who gives them.  There's a … Continue reading Plato Project #6: Hippias Major →