Early Socratic Dialogues

As the father of Western philosophy, who transformed Greek thought with his questioning insights into life and ethics, Socrates (470-399 bc) 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.

Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at the Open University.