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Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues

By: Michael Sugrue, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Michael Sugrue
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Publisher's Summary

These 16 lectures bring the Socratic quest for truth alive and explore ideas that are as vital today as they were 25 centuries ago - ideas about truth, justice, love, beauty, courage, and wisdom that can change lives and reveal the world in new ways. Here, you'll delve into the inner structure, action, and meaning of 17 of Plato's greatest dialogues, making these lectures an indispensable companion for anyone interested in philosophy in general or Platonic thought in particular.

As you'll learn, the dialogues share some general characteristics - and they all breathe with the feeling, the tension, and even the humor of great theater. Even if you don't have time to reacquaint yourself directly with Platonic texts, you'll benefit enormously from these lectures' insights into the depths of reflection opened by Socrates and Plato - arguably the most important teacher-student pairing in history.

You'll become engrossed in "the romance of the intellect," as Professor Sugrue opens a path for you into the inner structure and action of these selected dialogues, for millennia the objects of devoted study by the noblest minds. These lectures offer no easy answers. What they give instead is much better: an introduction to Platonic "meta-education," the art not of what to think but of how to think. You'll see the stunning subtlety with which Plato weaves together the strengths of philosophy and poetry, dialectic and drama, word and action. And you'll catch a glimpse of the "serious playfulness" that Socrates says the search for the good, the true, and the beautiful can inspire in the human soul.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1996 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1996 The Great Courses

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Hard to fault

Well, maybe I could fault it. He did say a few things that I disagreed with, but that just left me wanting to put my hand up and say please sir, can we discuss that point you just made? A bit difficult for a lecturer who can't engage with his audience directly. I would LOVE to have a discussion with this man. Especially after hearing his closing comments. All my disagreements evaporated when he said that reading the dialogues is more like a journey and it's not about totting up a list of things I now know, but more about an engagement which could be different, even if it's the same passage again and again. This has been my experience exactly. Full marks for that. Socrates would be applauding.

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Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant lecture series, listened to the whole thing in one go. I recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the topic.

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A masterclass

The best philosophy lecture I've ever come across. Worth listening to either before or after reading the texts.

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Excellent

One of the best philosophy lecturers I’ve come across. Wish I’d found Michael sugrue earlier.

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An enthusiastic and excellent primer

If you want a series which will encourage you to explore the great works of one of western worlds greatest minds, look no further.

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He talks too fast!

He should pause more about important things. The speed of his talking makes me feel like giving up on this title.

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Exceptional

The Lecturer brings the dialogues to life. Enthusiastic, sincere and a sense of humour!
Highly recommended.

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Engaging and inspired

These talks brought Plato and Socrates alive for me, more than any other talks. The lecturer is a genius and an engaging speaker. In particular the last two lectures are spiritually uplifting and inspiring.

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misophonia warning

I had to stop listening as soon as he starting slurping from a cup of water straight into the microphone. Terrible in terms of performance. if you have Misophonia, this is your warning not to listen or purchase this course.

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