Gardens of Philosophy: Ficino on Plato (1) (Commentaries by Ficino on Plato's Writings)

Under the patronage of the Medici family, Marsilio Ficino translated into Latin and commentated on the meaning and implications of key works by Plato—including 25 of Plato’s dialogues and 12 letters ascribed to the philosopher. The 40 concise articles in this collection comprise the first English translation of Ficino’s works and provide an insightful glimpse into the philosophy that contributed to the Renaissance. Copyright 5 Contents 6 Preface by Clement Salaman 8 The Historical Context by Michael Shepherd 9 Translator’s Introduction 12 Acknowledgements 13 Socrates 14 Plato 15 Welcome 16 PART ONE: Summaries of Twenty-five Dialogues of Plato 18 Translator’s Notes to Part One 19 Ficino’s Preface to his Commentaries on Plato 20 Hipparchus: the Desire for Gain 26 Philosophy or The Lover 27 Theages: Wisdom 29 Meno: Virtue 31 Alcibiades I: Nature of Man 34 Alcibiades II: Prayer 36 Minos: Law 38 Euthyphro: Holiness 40 Hippias: the Beautiful and Noble 42 Lysis: Friendship 47 Theaetetus: Knowledge 52 Ion: Poetic Inspiration 70 Statesman: Kingship 76 Protagoras: Virtue 82 Euthydemus: the Views of the Sophists 91 Lesser Hippias: Truthfulness 98 Charmides: Temperance 100 Laches: Courage 107 Cratylus: Names 112 Gorgias: Rhetoric 126 Apology: Socrates’ defence 139 Crito: Socrates’ way of life 146 Phaedo: Nature of the soul 147 Menexenus: Love for one’s country 157 Critias: Story of Atlantis 160 PART TWO: Discussions of the Twelve ‘Letters of Plato’ 166 Translator’s Notes to Part Two 167 First Letter: from Dion to Dionysius 168 Second Letter: from Plato to Dionysius 169 Third Letter: from Plato to Dionysius 177 Fourth Letter: from Plato to Dion 178 Fifth Letter: from Dion to Perdiccas 179 Sixth Letter: from Plato to Hermias, Erastus, and Coriscus 180 Seventh Letter: from Plato to Dion’s relatives and friends 183 Eighth Letter: from Plato to Dion’s relatives and friends 188 Ninth Letter: from Plato to Archytas 189 Tenth Letter: from Plato to Aristodemus 190 Eleventh Letter: from Plato to Laodoman 191 Twelfth Letter: from Plato to Archytas 192 PART THREE: Appendices 194 Translator’s Notes to Part Three 195 Ficino’s Introduction to ten of Plato’s dialogues 196 Ficino’s Preface to his commentaries on Plato 199 Index 201 0856832405,9780856832406 Shepheard-Walwyn