Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues

By: Michael Sugrue, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Michael Sugrue

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

Exceptional interpretation and delivery.

What did you love best about Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues?

I found myself truly anticipating each lecture. These interpretations and explanations reflect so much more thought and consideration than I ever would have had time to experience on my own. This series has made me want to investigate the Greeks further. More, I strongly believe that my writing and thinking will be positively influenced by these insights which are new, to me at least.

What other book might you compare Plato, Socrates, and the Dialogues to and why?

If I had to compare this to another book, it would have to be Dante's Inferno. And only, possibly, because there is this concentric, continuing thought process that goes deeper and deeper into the combination of the psyche and social commentary.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book definitely made me laugh at points. I would say that it made me excited to learn more in the progression of Western Philosophy.

Wonderful lectures, poor performance

The narrator has a great thirst, which becomes present to the point of subtle annoyance. The constant sipping, gulping, and lip-smacking nearly overwhelms certain parts of the lectures, but not quite.

Meh. Interesting but hard to listen to

A good tour through the Dialogues. However two things make it a painful slog. First, the gross mouth noises and his tendency to stop for a loud swig of water every five minutes. Often it is mid sentence and it’s… well gross, off putting, and distracting. Second, the prof approaches Plato and Socrates as if they are religious figures. Other than those issues… it’s fine

Inspiring Socratic Dialogues Introduction

Professor Sugrue is the real teacher, when you are so passionate about a subject learning becomes a pleasure and not a challenge.

He brings on many interesting perspectives and comparisons, the most striking ones with Hercules (from Homer) and Jesus Christ.

Socrates never wrote anything so this are potential tales created by Plato to use Socrates as a myth, almost a god like figure. Again something in common with Buddha, Confucios and Jesus!

Highly highly recommended if you are interested in Ancient Greek Philosophy!

Brilliant. Thought-provoking.

The speaker is brilliant and puts the dialogues together impeccably. Brilliant. Thought-provoking. insightful. Very well done; dramatically better than others I've ever heard.