Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 7.1 How to Prosecute Your FatherAt some point perhaps soon after Socrates’ death and after the retreat to Megara, Plato seems to have put pen to papyrus and begun crafting…4 min read·3 days ago----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 6.4 Recovering SocratesHow could Socratic schools arise? In some ways it was perhaps inevitable, given the enigmatic character and charismatic personality of…4 min read·5 days ago----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 6.3 Centrifugal ForcesThe growth of the Socratic movement had immediate repercussions, as we shall see, resurrecting Socrates and keeping him at the center of…3 min read·May 24, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 6.2 The Socratic MovementSocrates’ disciples were young, gifted, intelligent, and some of them at least were well-connected. They were deeply hurt by recent events…4 min read·May 20, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 6.1 Retreat of the SocraticsWhat happened after the death of Socrates? Diogenes Laertius, writing in the third century AD gives a rather breathless synopsis of Plato’s…3 min read·May 16, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.9 Farewell to SocratesOn the 6th of Thargelion, the eleventh month of the Athenian year, roughly May-June, Socrates’ reprieve ended. The sacred galley had…3 min read·May 13, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.8 Prisoner of ConscienceNormally a condemned prisoner in Athens had to drink the hemlock soon after his trial. There was no appeals process, no review, no lengthy…3 min read·May 10, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.7 Socrates’ Trial: The EvidenceFor the third time in his life, Socrates had done what he saw as his duty in the public forum, without regard to his personal welfare. He…5 min read·May 6, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.6 Socrates’ Trial: The SentenceWhen the trial was over, the jurors stood up by rows and went to the “lampstand” where each juror exchanged the token he was given for two…3 min read·May 3, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.5 Socrates’ Trial: The ChallengeNow Socrates turns the tables. Reminding the jurors of his endorsement by the Oracle at Delphi, he says:4 min read·Apr 30, 2024----