Description
In the first of the three plays, Gorgias: Or the Abuse of Words and Power, he is able to vent his concerns about the dishonest use of language for purely political purposes or for purely personal advancement. Socrates contends that gaining power does not lead to happiness, and that, in the end, suffering wrong is to be preferred over doing wrong. In the second of the plays, The Symposium, Socrates sits back and listens to all the speakers say what they understand by Eros, for love is seen here in many forms from the speakers. Then, when his turn comes, he merely reports the wise words which Diotima spoke to him about the highest form of Eros-which is love of that which is beautiful in itself, that "is" eternal, that neither becomes nor passes away. In the third play, The Death of Socrates (from Plato's dialogue Phaedo) Pieper shows how Socrates' profound values enable him to face death with equanimity. Even his close disciples and friends (Plato is absent) are nonplussed as they witness his total selfless integrity.
Without popularizing, this book succeeds in highlighting some fundamental issues which are not only central to Plato's thought, but are also shown to be acutely relevant to our current society.
Book Information
ISBN 9781587311956
Author Josef Pieper
Format Hardback
Page Count 168
Imprint St Augustine's Press
Publisher St Augustine's Press
Weight(grams) 310g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 141mm * 18mm