Lysis. Symposium. Phaedrus

Plato's three works explore the relationship between love (eros) or friendship (philia) in the end of Socrates' life, including Lysis, Symposium, and Phaedrus. This edition offers text, translation, and annotation that are fully current with modern scholarship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Plato, a renowned philosopher from Athens, played a pivotal role in shaping the Western philosophical tradition and stands as one of its most accomplished practitioners. Born around 427 BC into a prosperous and politically active family, Plato's early life was marked by his admiration for Socrates, a philosopher who profoundly influenced his intellectual development. As a result, Plato later established the first institution of higher learning in the Western world, known as the Academy, which counted Aristotle among its distinguished alumni.

Traditionally attributed to Plato are thirty-five dialogues, meticulously crafted using Socrates' dialectic method, exhibiting remarkable stylistic virtuosity. These dialogues, along with the Apology and thirteen letters, form the core of Plato's philosophical corpus.

The three works included in this volume, despite being written at different stages of Plato's career, are centered around the end of Socrates' life, specifically from 416 onwards. These works explore the profound relationship between two individuals often referred to as "love" (eros) or "friendship" (philia).

In Lysis, Plato encounters two young men engaged in wrestling exercises at a religious festival. In Symposium, Plato participates in a drinking party alongside a group of accomplished friends, where the central theme revolves around love. Lastly, in Phaedrus, Plato and his eponymous interlocutor escape the midsummer heat of the city and find solace on the banks of the river Ilissus. During their conversation, they delve into the subject of love, leading to a critical discussion of the current state of rhetoric theory and practice.

This edition, designed to replace the original Loeb editions by Sir Walter R. M. Lamb and Harold North Fowler, presents a comprehensive collection of text, translation, andannotation that aligns with the latest advancements in modern scholarship. It ensures that readers have access to the most accurate and up-to-date version of Plato's works, enabling them to delve deeper into his philosophical ideas and engage with his profound insights into the nature of love, friendship, and rhetoric.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 116 x 169 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674997431