Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 12.4. The Grand TourSome time around 387, Plato set sail for Magna Graecia. Presumably his trip was not a sightseeing expedition, but an attempt to meet with…3d ago3d ago
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 12.3. Dionysius the EmperorNow in control of most of Sicily, Dionysius turned to southern Italy. There he faced the Italiot League, a confederacy of important Greek…6d ago6d ago
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 12.2. Dionysius the LiberatorIn 397, Dionysius assembled a huge army of 80,000 men and a navy of 200 ships and sailed toward the western apex of Sicily, the stronghold…Sep 18Sep 18
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First Philosophers12.1 Dionysius the TyrantIn the dark ages of Greece between the Bronze Age and the birth of the alphabet in the eighth century BC, Greek civilization had spread far…Sep 16Sep 16
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 11.9. Plato on the AfterlifeAt the end of this early dialogue, Plato does something unprecedented: he provides a myth of the afterlife.[32] This will become a kind of…Sep 12Sep 12
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 11.8. Plato’s Defense of Socrates’ PoliticsSocrates had been studiously non-political. He had not embroiled himself in the political issues of the day, as vital as they often were…Sep 9Sep 9
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 11.7. Socrates in the Political ArenaWe noted that Plato begins this dialogue with a declaration of war. The Gorgias is a dialogue very unlike any other early dialogue Plato…Sep 6Sep 6
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 11.6. The True StatesmanEarly in his discussion with Socrates, Callicles makes an ominous warning to Socrates:Sep 41Sep 41
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First Philosophers11.5 Does Might Make Right?At this point Socrates has effectively silenced Polus, showing, among other things, that committing injustice is more disgraceful and…Sep 2Sep 2
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 11.4. Power and GoodnessAs the debate between Socrates and Polus develops, Polus is shocked at Socrates’ contempt for orators and their alleged art. “How can you…Aug 30Aug 30