PHIL7509 · Philosophy

Plato and Socrates

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

In having Socrates declare, The unexamined life is not worth living (Apology38a5-6), Plato presents his teacher as an example for others to follow, not just in what he thought and said, but in how he lived and even in how he died. But following Socrates example proves difficultand not just in facing death. Many dialogues feature characters who try in various ways to imitate Socrates but who enjoy limited success at best. Some of these failures are comic, certainly all are instructive. But what lessons does Plato teach about a man who claimed to teach nothing? Put differently, what would an examined life look like? How does one live an examined life in practice? To begin to answer these questionsquestions that should be urgent for anyone hoping to lead a good lifewe can do no better than to look at Socrates own activities as recorded by Plato (Socrates himself wrote nothing). Students will encounter Socrates primarily through a series of philosophical dialogues, including seemingly inconclusive dialogues along with several Platonic masterpieces.