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…3d ago3d 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…4d ago4d 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…May 24May 24
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…May 20May 20
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…May 16May 16
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…May 13May 13
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…May 10May 10
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…May 6May 6
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…May 3May 3
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:Apr 30Apr 30