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The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
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The Socratic Dialogues Early Period, Volume 2
- Gorgias, Protagoras, Meno, Euthydemus, Lesser Hippias, Greater Hippias
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, full cast
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Here, in this second collection of Socratic Dialogues from Plato's Early Period, read by David Rintoul as Socrates with a full cast, are contrasting six works. Often, as with Gorgias, which opens the recording, Socrates combats the popular subjects of sophistry and rhetoric, in direct conversation with Gorgias (a leading sophist teacher), and with one of his pupils, Callicles.
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The Socratic Dialogues Middle Period, Volume 1
- Symposium, Theaetetus, Phaedo
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translation
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, Hugh Ross, full cast
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Here are three important but very different Dialogues from the Middle Period. Symposium, the most well-known in this collection, is concerned with the theme of love. In the house of Agathon, a group of friends - each very different in personality and background - meet to consider and discuss various kinds of love. Each one, Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryximachus, Aristophanes (the playwright) and Agathon (a prize-winning tragic poet), presents his particular view in a short discourse.
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The Socratic Dialogues: Middle Period, Volume 3
- The Republic
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowlett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 12 hrs
- Unabridged
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The Republic is perhaps the single most important, the most studied and the most quoted text of all of Plato's Socratic Dialogues. Through the medium of Socrates, Plato outlines his view and ideas concerning the ideal working of the city-state. Socrates narrates a conversation that took place the previous day with Cephalus, Glaucon, Thrasymachus and others. The dialogue is organised into 10 books and covers a broad range of topics, including the ideal community and the ideal rulers of the community.
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Essential knowledge
- By Dr. Dylan Evans on 05-04-18
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The Socratic Dialogues Middle Period, Volume 2
- Phaedrus, Cratylus, Parmenides
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, Laurence Kennedy, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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The remarkable range of Plato's Dialogues is vividly demonstrated by these three works. It opens with Phaedrus, a highly personal discussion between Socrates (David Rintoul) and the young, love-struck Phaedrus (Gunnar Cauthery). They go for a walk outside the walls of Athens and, under a plane tree by the banks of the Ilissus, talk about love - erotic and 'Platonic' love. Socrates endeavours to steer Phaedrus away from infatuation and show him that real love is based on concern for the beloved.
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The Socratic Dialogues: Late Period, Volume 1
- Timaeus, Critias, Sophist, Statesman, Philebus
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, David Timson, Peter Kenny, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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These five very different Socratic Dialogues date from Plato's later period, when he was revisiting his early thoughts and conclusions and showing a willingness for revision. In Timaeus (mainly a monologue read by David Timson in the title role), Plato considers cosmology in terms of the nature and structure of the universe, the ever-changing physical world and the unchanging eternal world. And he proposes a demiurge as a benevolent creator God.
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The Laws
- The Socratic Dialogues Late Period, Volume 2
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy, Hayward Morse, Sam Dale
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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The Laws is the longest of Plato’s Dialogues and actually doesn’t feature Socrates at all - the principal figure taking the lead is the ‘Athenian Stranger’ who engages two older men in the discussion, Cleinias (from Crete) and Megillus (from Sparta). The Dialogue is set in Crete, and the three men embark on a pilgrimage from Knossus to the cave of Dicte, where, legend reports, Zeus was born.
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The Socratic Dialogues Early Period, Volume 2
- Gorgias, Protagoras, Meno, Euthydemus, Lesser Hippias, Greater Hippias
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, full cast
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here, in this second collection of Socratic Dialogues from Plato's Early Period, read by David Rintoul as Socrates with a full cast, are contrasting six works. Often, as with Gorgias, which opens the recording, Socrates combats the popular subjects of sophistry and rhetoric, in direct conversation with Gorgias (a leading sophist teacher), and with one of his pupils, Callicles.
-
The Socratic Dialogues Middle Period, Volume 1
- Symposium, Theaetetus, Phaedo
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translation
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, Hugh Ross, full cast
- Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here are three important but very different Dialogues from the Middle Period. Symposium, the most well-known in this collection, is concerned with the theme of love. In the house of Agathon, a group of friends - each very different in personality and background - meet to consider and discuss various kinds of love. Each one, Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryximachus, Aristophanes (the playwright) and Agathon (a prize-winning tragic poet), presents his particular view in a short discourse.
-
The Socratic Dialogues: Middle Period, Volume 3
- The Republic
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowlett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 12 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Republic is perhaps the single most important, the most studied and the most quoted text of all of Plato's Socratic Dialogues. Through the medium of Socrates, Plato outlines his view and ideas concerning the ideal working of the city-state. Socrates narrates a conversation that took place the previous day with Cephalus, Glaucon, Thrasymachus and others. The dialogue is organised into 10 books and covers a broad range of topics, including the ideal community and the ideal rulers of the community.
-
-
Essential knowledge
- By Dr. Dylan Evans on 05-04-18
-
The Socratic Dialogues Middle Period, Volume 2
- Phaedrus, Cratylus, Parmenides
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, Laurence Kennedy, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The remarkable range of Plato's Dialogues is vividly demonstrated by these three works. It opens with Phaedrus, a highly personal discussion between Socrates (David Rintoul) and the young, love-struck Phaedrus (Gunnar Cauthery). They go for a walk outside the walls of Athens and, under a plane tree by the banks of the Ilissus, talk about love - erotic and 'Platonic' love. Socrates endeavours to steer Phaedrus away from infatuation and show him that real love is based on concern for the beloved.
-
The Socratic Dialogues: Late Period, Volume 1
- Timaeus, Critias, Sophist, Statesman, Philebus
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, David Timson, Peter Kenny, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These five very different Socratic Dialogues date from Plato's later period, when he was revisiting his early thoughts and conclusions and showing a willingness for revision. In Timaeus (mainly a monologue read by David Timson in the title role), Plato considers cosmology in terms of the nature and structure of the universe, the ever-changing physical world and the unchanging eternal world. And he proposes a demiurge as a benevolent creator God.
-
The Laws
- The Socratic Dialogues Late Period, Volume 2
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy, Hayward Morse, Sam Dale
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Laws is the longest of Plato’s Dialogues and actually doesn’t feature Socrates at all - the principal figure taking the lead is the ‘Athenian Stranger’ who engages two older men in the discussion, Cleinias (from Crete) and Megillus (from Sparta). The Dialogue is set in Crete, and the three men embark on a pilgrimage from Knossus to the cave of Dicte, where, legend reports, Zeus was born.
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The Ethics of Aristotle
- By: The Great Courses, Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Narrated by: Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
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In this 12-lecture meditation on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, you'll uncover the clarity and ethical wisdom of one of humanity's greatest minds. Father Koterski shows how and why this great philosopher can help you deepen and improve your own thinking on questions of morality and leading the best life. The aim of these lectures is to provide you with a clear and thoughtful introduction to Aristotle as a moral philosopher.
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Summary more than argument
- By Greg Gauthier on 01-07-16
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Metamorphoses
- By: Ovid
- Narrated by: David Horovitch
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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The Metamorphoses by Publius Ovidius Naso (43 B.C. - A.D. 17) has, over the centuries, been the most popular and influential work from our classical tradition. This extraordinary collection of some 250 Greek and Roman myths and folk tales has always been a popular favorite, and has decisively shaped western art and literature from the moment it was completed in A.D. 8. The stories are particularly vivid when read by David Horovitch, in this new lively verse translation by Ian Johnston.
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Not at all what I was expecting.
- By Tifrap on 30-04-17
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On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays
- Essays, Volume 1
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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As former tutor and adviser to Emperor Nero, philosopher and statesman Seneca was acutely aware of how short life can be - his own life was cut short when the emperor ordered him to commit suicide (for alleged involvement in a conspiracy). And Seneca proved true to his words - his lifelong avowal to Stoicism enabled him to conduct himself with dignity to the end. During his rich and busy life, Seneca wrote a series of essays that have advised and enriched the lives of generations down to the present day.
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A good read.
- By HARRY on 25-05-18
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Metaphysics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Aristotle's Metaphysics was the first major study of the subject of metaphysics - in other words, an inquiry into 'first philosophy', or 'wisdom'. It differs from Physics which is concerned with the natural world: things which are subject to the laws of nature, things that move and change, are measurable. In Metaphysics, the study falls on 'being qua being' - being insofar as it is being; the causes and principles of being, the causes and principles of substances.
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The Aeneid
- By: Virgil
- Narrated by: David Collins
- Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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The masterpiece of Rome's greatest poet, Virgil's Aeneid has inspired generations of readers and holds a central place in Western literature. The epic tells the story of a group of refugees from the ruined city of Troy, whose attempts to reach a promised land in the West are continually frustrated by the hostile goddess Juno. Finally reaching Italy, their leader, Aeneas, is forced to fight a bitter war against the natives to establish the foundations from which Rome is destined to rise.
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A Stunning Story
- By M. R. Beaumont on 03-01-19
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The Iliad
- By: Homer, Ian Johnston (translator)
- Narrated by: Anton Lesser
- Length: 16 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Perhaps the greatest poem of the Western world, The Iliad tells the story of 50 critical days towards the end of the Trojan war. Achilles has quarrelled with Agamemnon and sulks in his tent, while Hector brings his Trojans to the brink of victory; but fate will have the last word.
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the best of the lot
- By MR on 13-04-13
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The Enchiridion & Discourses
- By: Epictetus
- Narrated by: Haward B. Morse
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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The Enchiridion is the famous manual of ethical advice given in the second century by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Born to a Greek slave, Epictetus grew up in the environment of the Roman Empire and, having been released from bonds of slavery, became a stoic in the tradition of its originators, Zeno (third Century BCE) and Seneca (first century CE).
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Eternal wisdom, exciting performance
- By Amazon Customer on 14-01-18
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On Anger, on Leisure, on Clemency
- Essays, Volume 2
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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'On Anger' is one of Seneca's most important essays. At some length he investigates the nature of anger: how and why it emerges, the effect it has on the individual and those to whom it is directed, and how to manage it and prevent it even from arising. For, Seneca considers, anger simply serves no purpose - it does not bring courage in war, prevent others misbehaving or punish miscreants. In short it has a negative effect on all. In 'On Leisure' he takes a short look at what is really meant by the term.
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I Am Dynamite!
- A Life of Nietzsche
- By: Sue Prideaux
- Narrated by: Nicholas Guy Smith
- Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Friedrich Nietzsche's work blasted the foundation of Western thinking. The death of God, the Übermensch and the slave morality permeate our culture, high and low, and yet he is one of history's most misunderstood philosophers. Nietzsche himself thought that all philosophy was autobiographical, and in this myth-shattering book Sue Prideaux brings listeners into the world of a brilliant, eccentric and deeply troubled man, illuminating the events and people that shaped his life and work.
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Interesting
- By Roger D. on 16-02-19
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Thus Spoke Zarathustra
- A Book for All and None
- By: Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Common (translator)
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Composed in four parts between 1883 and 1885, Thus Spoke Zarathustra is the most famous and influential work of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The work is a philosophical novel in which the character of Zarathustra, a religious prophet-like figure, delivers a series of lessons and sermons in a Biblical style that articulate the central ideas of Nietzsche's mature thought.
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not a good translation
- By RoseyRosieRose on 17-01-19
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Politics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: Bernard Mayes
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Over two millennia after its compilation, the Politics still offers much to consider with regards to political science. Aristotle's succinct and thoughtful analysis is based on his study of over 150 city constitutions and covers the gamut of political issues in order to establish which types of constitution are best, ideally as well as for particular circumstances, and how they may be maintained.
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Organon
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 22 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Aristotle’s Organon comprises six key essays on logic, initially collected by Theophrastus, his successor as head of the Peripatetic school, and given its final form by Andronicus some three centuries later. The six essays are: Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics and On Sophistical Refutations. One of the principal topics of Aristotle’s focus is syllogism, in which two premises (one major, one minor) lead to a conclusion. This features in Prior Analytics and On Interpretation.
Summary
Here are the Socratic Dialogues presented as Plato designed them to be - living discussions between friends and protagonists, with the personality of Socrates himself coming alive as he deals with a host of subjects, from justice and inspiration to courage, poetry and the gods.
Plato's Socratic Dialogues provide a bedrock for classical Western philosophy. For centuries they have been read, studied and discussed via the flat pages of books, but the ideal medium for them is the spoken word. Some are genuine dialogues while some are dialogues reported by a narrator supposedly at a later date.
Ukemi Audiobooks presents all of the Socratic Dialogues in a series of recordings divided into Early Period (Volumes 1 & 2), Middle Period (Volumes 1 & 2) and Late Period (Volume 1) - based on their likely composition by Plato. This opening volume starts with perhaps the most famous speech, The Apology, Socrates' doomed defence against the charge of heresy and corrupting the young. It is followed by Crito, in which Socrates' friend offers to spirit him out of Athens to avoid execution. Among the others are discussions on Courage (Laches), and Friendship (Lysis).
The role of Socrates is taken by David Rintoul, a widely admired and experienced audiobook reader who studied philosophy at university before taking a different path to RADA, TV, theatre and film. He is joined by a broad range of readers, most known to Audible listeners. Each Dialogue is prefaced with a short introduction to set the scene for newcomers to Plato.
Translation: Benjamin Jowett.
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- Chris
- 27-11-17
A masterful recording brings Plato back to life
As a fan of Plato, I had been searching for a complete set of the Socratic Dialogues, so I was very excited when I saw Ukemi recordings. I was even happier when I found out that Nicolas Soames, the founder of Ukemi, was previously in charge of Naxos Audiobooks and had produced many of my favourite classics. As for the production, it is well done and the actors give you a clear sense that they actually understand the ideas Plato was trying to convey: the pursuit of truth through questions, answers, and more questions. To me the attribute of actor-understanding is essential to enjoying any philosophical work in audible format and particularly with dialogues like these. In this case you feel as if you are in the room, experiencing the tension, with convincing protagonists attacking and defending competing theories of truth, virtue, and the good life. This is a very effective (and enjoyable) path to Plato. I'm currently on Volume 3 but I will definitely be buying the rest as soon as they are released. Top marks so far!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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- Jeff Lacy
- 30-05-18
Entertaining, insightful, stimulating
Stimulating, insightful, entertaining, fun. For goodness sakes it’s Socrates. What else could it be. Using Jowett’s translation. The performers are excellent and enrich the reading of the dialogues.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- mohadcheridi
- 21-12-17
I liked it very much...
This is a first class rendering of the socratic dialogues...Ukemi produces very fine audiobooks and i always keep an eye on their catalogue...
I really enjoyed it...
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- Juan Malo
- 04-06-18
All of Plato is excellent and instruction
I enjoyed immensely all of these dialogues translated by Benjamin Jowett and performed superlatively by David Rintoul. Very highly recommended for those who seek an existential edification and a philosophic understanding of Ancient Greece as exemplified by the insightful writings of Plato in the character of Socrates his great teacher. Socrates said true wisdom is knowing that you don’t know. Find out what you don’t know by self and other examination! Rintoul’s performance in the character of Socrates is sheer brilliance, along with a great cast of supportive actors. Each Dialogue is briefly introduced with the characters and setting that are involved. I’m on to the next set of Dialogues in the order that they were supposedly written. The works of Plato, along with Shakespeare and Dostoevsky are my three books that I would take with me on a stranded desert island.