Symposium, the Apology, and the Allegory of the Cave

Written by Plato

Narrated by Jonathan Cowley

This collection brings together three of Plato's most enduring classics: the Symposium, the Apology, and the famous "Allegory of the Cave" from the Republic.

The Symposium, a dialogue on the nature and purpose of love centered around the ideals of beauty and goodness, is arguably the deepest inquiry of its kind in Western philosophy. The Apology, Plato's account of the speech given by Socrates at his trial in 399 BC, constitutes an essential defense of Socrates' life and philosophy. Finally, the "Allegory of the Cave," written as a fictional dialogue between Socrates and Plato's brother, Glaucon, is a profound commentary on the human understanding of reality. This edition is the translation by Benjamin Jowett.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Mar 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452671628

Plato

Plato (aprox. 424-327 BC), a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, is commonly regarded as the centermost figure of Western philosophy. During the Classical period of Ancient Greece he was based in Athens where he founded his Academy and created the Platonist school of thought. His works are among the most influential in Western history, commanding interest and challenging readers of every era and background since they were composed.