The Death of Socrates: An Interpretation of the Platonic Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo

The Death of Socrates is a richly insightful interpretation of the four Platonic dialogues that place Socrates in direct confrontation with human mortality. The Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo each present an element of the Socratic vision of death, of the appearance of life in the face of death, and how death ultimately is to be met. Guardini’s interpretation eschews both theoretical consideration—despite the allure that the idealism of Platonic thought holds for such an endeavor—and synoptic historical analysis and placement of Platonism. Instead, he enters into Plato’s thought, in order to approach and access the truth itself. This method gives pride of place to the texts of the dialogues themselves in all their literary and philosophical wealth.Poised and precise, The Death of Socrates is an excellent resource for new pupils and seasoned scholars alike of Plato and Guardini. Read more