Protagoras

Name: Protagoras
Author: Plato

By Plato

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About This Book

A conversational inquiry led by Socrates interrogates a celebrated sophist about whether moral and political virtues can be taught. A young aspirant seeks instruction, prompting debates over whether civic virtue is distributable, how education, laws, poetry, and upbringing shape character, and why sons of virtuous men sometimes fail to become virtuous. The sophist offers a mythic allegory to argue that justice and reverence are common goods given to all and thus teachable, while Socrates presses for clearer definitions and logical consequences, probing the unity of virtues and the implications for civic education and responsibility.

About the Author

Plato

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, whose works have profoundly influenced Western philosophy. He is best known for his dialogues, which explore various philosophical themes including ethics, politics, and metaphysics. Among his most notable works is the "Apology," which presents Socrates' defense during his trial. Plato founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. His writings, characterized by their dialectical method and exploration of ideal forms, continue to be studied for their insights into human thought and society.