The Last Days of Socrates is one of the most underestimated works written by the world-known ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Modern scholars frequently address the other parts of Plato’s dialogues; however, The Last Days of Socrates is central to the philosophical tradition of Plato. After all, Socrates was the mentor and a major figure in the development of Plato as a person and as a philosopher. The work consists of four separate dialogues that concern the trial of Socrates, his consequent death, and Plato’s perspective on the event. The dialogues transparently demonstrate the similarities and differences between the philosophy of Socrates and his student.
The first two dialogues Euthyphro and The Apology concern the trial of Socrates and the injustice that revolves around it. Socrates reveals corruption, distorted values, greed, and other factors that threaten society’s integrity. In court, he accuses the wealthy people of Athens of heresy against societal values and order, explaining his perspective and providing logical arguments. However, his words do not reach the minds of the elite since their values differ drastically, and the court sentences Socrates to death by drinking lethal poison. Nevertheless, the execution is postponed, and Socrates is conveyed to jail.
The last two dialogues Crito and Phaedo demonstrate the consequences of the trial and the reflection of Socrates on the event. The philosopher does not accept the values of the corrupted elite; nevertheless, he does not try to escape the execution since that would dishonor the debate process of Athens. According to his perspective, he needs to accept the execution to demonstrate his principles. At the end of the dialogues, Plato provides his own perspective and states that Socrates has achieved immortality sacrificing himself and contributing to the prosperity of the Greek society.
Work Cited
Plato. The Last Days of Socrates. Translated by Hugh Tredennick and Harold Tarrant, Penguin Classics, 2003.