Crito meets Socrates at the prison where he is being held. Socrates execution has been delayed for a while (because of an Athenian tradition), but it will likely be held the day after (this dialogue). Crito explains why he came: to persuade Socrates into fleeing Athens before he is executed, because “apart from being deprived of such a companion … I will also seem to … have been able to save you if I had been willing to spend money, but not to have cared” and suffer a shameful reputation amongst the ‘many’.

Four Texts on Socrates: Euthyphro/Apology/Crito/Aristophanes’ Clouds by Plato My rating: 3 of 5 stars I bought this to study the three Plato texts. The introductions were illuminating, and the translation seemed fine with explanatory footnotes where necessary. I don’t understand Greek and have only skimmed other translations, but it was understandable and what more can you really ask for? View all my reviews

Summary Socrates begins his speech by defending his manners in advance, and criticizing his opponents for the same. He contrasts his simple, unadorned, and even clumsy speech with his opponents’: deceitful and clever. In so doing, Socrates seems to assert that the truth can not be attractive, as if any attractive statement must therefore be false. He also contrasts his inexperience in court (this is his first time) with his opponents.

Summary The dialogue begins with Socrates and Euthyphro providing us some background. Socrates is going to court because a ‘young man’ named Meletus has brought against him the charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. Socrates trial is not the focus of this dialgoue, however. (Euthyphro, 2a-3e) From 4a-e, Euthyphro explains why he is at court. One of his servants killed Euthyphro’s slave in a drunken fit, and Euthyphro’s father had him thrown into a ditch while he got a local priest.

If Socrates is the most influential philosopher in the Western tradition, then Plato (427 – 348 BC) ought to occupy the seat one rank lower, for it is by Plato that we know Socrates as we do. Furthermore, Plato — as shown in his later works — was a highly original philosopher of his own. He was also, like Socrates, a teacher — he even founded an academy, his Lyceum. From there came his influence upon Aristotle, the next great philosopher of Ancient Greece, and the man to complete the triad — Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.