Symposium and Phaedrus

It has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. And of the dialogues, the Symposium is the most delightful and accessible, requiring no special knowledge of ancient Greek philosophy or customs. Dramatizing a party in fifth-century B.C. Athens, the deceptively unassuming Symposium introduces—in the guise of convivial after-dinner conversation—profound ideas about the nature of love. In Phaedrus, here published together with the Symposium, Plato discusses the place of eloquence in expounding truth. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to Western thought through the centuries.

Two important dialogues offer crucial insights into Platonic doctrine. Symposium deals with ultimate manifestation of love, eternal beauty. Phaedrus discusses psychology of love, "forms" as objects of transcendental emotion. Jowett translation.

Richard Rutherford is a Fellow of Christ Church, Oxford.

Tom Griffith's translation of Phaedrus is published here for the first time. His translation of the Symposium (1986) has been newly revised for this edition.