Plato: The Symposium (cambridge Texts In The History Of Philosophy)

Plato's Symposium, written in the early part of the 4th century BC, is set at a drinking party (symposium) attended by some of the leading intellectuals of the day, including Aristophanes, the comic dramatist, Socrates, Plato's mentor, and Alcibiades, the brilliant but (eventually) treacherous politician. Each guest gives a speech in praise of the benefits of desire and its role in the good and happy human life. At the core of the work stands Socrates' praise of philosophical desire, and an argument for the superiority of the philosophical life as the best route to happiness. This edition provides an accessible and engaging new translation by M. C. Howatson, and a substantial introduction, by Frisbee C. C. Sheffield, which guides the reader through the various parts of the dialogue and reflects on its central arguments. A chronology and detailed notes on the participants help to set this enduring work in context. One of the most famous works of literature in the Western world, Plato's Symposium is also one of the most entertaining. The scene is a dinner party in Athens in 416 B.C. at which the guests - including the comic poet Aristophanes and Plato's mentor, Socrates - playfully discuss the nature of eros, or love. By turns earthly and sublime, the dialogue culminates with Socrates's famous account of the "ladder of love," an extended analysis of the many forms of eros. The evening ends with a speech by the drunken Alcibiades, the most popular and powerful Athenian of the day, who insists on praising Socrates rather than love, offering up a brilliant character sketch of the enigmatic philosopher. This Modern Library edition is the authoritative translation by Benjamin Jowett, substantially revised by Dr. Hayden Pelliccia, associate professor of classics at Cornell University. This revised translation takes into account advances in scholarship since Jowett's day and modernizes the Victorian English where it is coy or archaic. The result is a translation neither too colloquial nor too literal, one that is faithful to both Jowett's superb prose and Plato's matchless original. Plato's Symposium, Written In The Early Part Of The Fourth Century Bc, Is Set At A Drinking Party (symposium) Attended By Some Of The Leading Intellectuals Of The Day, Including Aristophanes, The Comic Dramatist, Socrates, Plato's Mentor, And Alcibiadies, The Brilliant But (eventually) Treacherous Politician. Each Guest Gives A Speech In Praise Of The Benefits Of Desire And Its Role In The Good And Happy Human Life. At The Core Of The Work Stands Socrates' Praise Of Philosophical Life As The Best Route To Happiness. This Edition Provides An Accessible And Engaging New Translation By M. C. Howatson, And A Substantial Introduction By Frisbee C. C. Sheffield, Which Guides The Reader Through The Various Parts Of The Dialogue And Reflects On Its Central Arguments. A Chronology And Detailed Notes On The Participants Help To Set This Enduring Work In Context.--book Jacket. The Symposium ('the Drinking Party'). Edited By M.c. Howatson, Frisbee C.c. Sheffield ; Translated By M.c. Howatson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.