Plato's Symposium, written in the early part of the 4th century BC, is set at a drinking party (symposium) attended by some of the leading intellectuals of the day, including Aristophanes, the comic dramatist, Socrates, Plato's mentor, and Alcibiades, the brilliant but (eventually) treacherous politician. Each guest gives a speech in praise of the benefits of desire and its role in the good and happy human life. At the core of the work stands Socrates' praise of philosophical desire, and an argument for the superiority of the philosophical life as the best route to happiness. This edition provides an accessible and engaging new translation by M. C. Howatson, and a substantial introduction, by Frisbee Sheffield, which guides the reader through the various parts of the dialogue and reflects on its central arguments. A chronology and detailed notes on the participants help to set this enduring work in context.
Author(s): Frisbee C. C. Sheffield, M. C. Howatson
Series: Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 132
Cover......Page 1
Half-title......Page 3
Seres-title......Page 4
Title......Page 5
Copyright......Page 6
Contents......Page 7
Introduction......Page 9
Eros and education......Page 10
An overview of the speeches......Page 12
Socrates’ speech......Page 15
The aim of desire (204d–206b)......Page 16
The characteristic activity of desire (206b–208b)......Page 20
The best expression of desire (210a–212b)......Page 22
Loving the Form and loving persons......Page 27
Alcibiades’ speech......Page 28
Conclusion......Page 30
Chronology......Page 31
Further reading......Page 34
Translator’s note......Page 36
The Symposium (‘The Drinking Party’)......Page 39
Glossary of Greek words......Page 102
Glossary of names......Page 108
Index of subjects......Page 128
