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The Last Days of Socrates
- Narrated by: Justin Avoth, Laurence Dobiesz
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Philosophy
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
This Penguin Classic is performed by Justin Avoth and Laurence Dobiesz. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Christopher Rowe read by Justin Avoth.
Consider just this, and give your minds to this alone: whether or not what I say is just.
Plato's account of Socrates' trial and death (399 BC) is a significant moment in classical literature and the life of classical Athens. In these four dialogues, Plato develops the Socratic belief in responsibility for one's self and shows Socrates living and dying under his philosophy. In Euthyphro, Socrates debates goodness outside the courthouse, Apology sees him in court, rebutting all charges of impiety, in Crito, he refuses an entreaty to escape from prison, and in Phaedo, Socrates faces his impending death with calmness and skillful discussion of immortality.
Christopher Rowe's introduction to his powerful new translation examines the book's themes of identity and confrontation and explores how its content is less historical fact than a promotion of Plato's Socratic philosophy.
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What listeners say about The Last Days of Socrates
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kristina
- 15-09-21
The narrator really brings the people to life
This wasn‘t my first exposure to Plato, so I was already used to the style, but I believe this would have been the best place to start - especially in audiobook format. The narrator(s) intonate each person (especially Socrates, of course) so believably and the translation is so accessible (i.e. modern), that it is as easy to follow as listening to any other conversation.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous
- 25-05-21
Foundational and fun
A capital “C” Classic short collection of works often assigned as the first text in core curriculum, great books, Intro to the Humanities, Greek Civ and Intro Philosophy courses.
Perfect short length for re-listening and discussing with a book club. Lots of strange ideas about the body, the soul, and cosmology from a pre-Christian point of view. It’s like directly hearing from people from another world and time.
One of the best entry points for Plato, Greek history and the Western philosophy on Audible. Great translation and performance. This audio edition also has helpful supplementary commentary.
The last text in the volume, Phaedo, works as an easy introduction to Plato overall before diving into The Republic.
3 people found this helpful
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- Mohammad
- 14-07-21
Socrates oh Socrates
Socrates is is the best person who ever lived. second, I have a learning disability so when I read I like to hear the words are written in the book for me. therefore, the audio does not fit the book at all, the story that was said here just not the match the book at all. Finally, that is why I gave one star all around. but the story is great