Socrates and the Immoralists

by Curtis N. Johnson

Overview

Socrates' life, as revealed in Plato's dialogues, is defined by a twofold ambition. On one hand, he scrutinizes people's beliefs, including his own, with the aim of exposing inconsistencies and learning about the human excellences. On the other hand, Socrates attempts to persuade particular individuals that the life of virtue and justice is far superior to the life of injustice. Curtis A. Johnson, by focusing specifically on the dialogues with the "immoralists" Polus, Callicles, and Thrasymachus, illuminates the complexities of Socrates' thought, showing the complicated interplay of the seemingly contradictory parts of Socrates' ambition, ultimately vindicating the overall coherence of the views. Socrates and the Immoralists assembles an in-depth exploration of Socrates' argument for the just life, important for scholars of Socrates, Plato, and Greek philosophy in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739109823
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	03/22/2005
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	6.24(w) x 9.28(h) x 0.93(d)

About the Author

Curtis N. Johnson is Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. Professor of Government and Dean of the College at Lewis & Clark College.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Part 2 Socrates
Chapter 3 Socrates' Mission
Chapter 4 Was Socrates Just?
Chapter 5 Socrates' Choice for Justice: Apology and Crito
Part 6 Socrates' Immoralist Opponents
Chapter 7 Socrates' Immoral Opponents and the Failure of Moral Reform
Chapter 8 Socrates v. Polus
Chapter 9 Socrates v. Callicles Part I: Natural Justice
Chapter 10 Socrates v. Callicles Part II: Unqualified Hedonism
Chapter 11 Socrates v. Thrasymachus Part I: Thrasymachus' World View
Chapter 12 Socrates v. Thrasumachus Part II: Is Thrasymachus Refuted?
Part 13 The Happiness of the Just Life
Chapter 14 Socrates and Protagoras
Chapter 15 Evaluative and Psychological Hedonism
Chapter 16 Pleasure, Virtue, and Happiness

Editorial Reviews

Socrates and the Immoralists is a dense read filled with the usual analytic tools: abbreviations (PH, EH), reconstructed arguments (S3a, S3b), and detailed appeal to the secondary literature. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Indeed, this work will serve as a good review of a central issue in Socratic studies.

Ancient Philosophy - 2007

Socrates and the Immoralists is a dense read filled with the usual analytic tools: abbreviations (PH, EH), reconstructed arguments (S3a, S3b), and detailed appeal to the secondary literature. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Indeed, this work will serve as a good review of a central issue in Socratic studies.

From the Publisher