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casparb's review
3.0
A lesser-known dialogue, read in prep for a Derrida essay which I should get to soon. 3.5
Odd in its way- probably one of the last of Plato's works and apparently more humourless than we may be used to, though I had fun with the mostly-absent character of Philebus. He has only a handful of lines but there's a wonderful sense of him grumpily watching Socrates and Protarchus hash it out. Jowett is his familiarly grumpy self in his intro to this piece. He's clearly not a fan but I enjoyed it.
A lot of the content is familiar from Symposium and so on, though as Jowett points out, Socrates' arguments are a lot more psychological than theological in their backing. Perhaps due to the dialogue's place in the Platonic chronology.
Idea that the soul wants whatever is contrary to the body is rather unorthodox and eyebrow-raising. Was reminded of the old death wish and Freud's somewhat dubious that all organisms will their own destruction. Can't recommend this as more than a curiosity really, though brevity allures, as ever.
Odd in its way- probably one of the last of Plato's works and apparently more humourless than we may be used to, though I had fun with the mostly-absent character of Philebus. He has only a handful of lines but there's a wonderful sense of him grumpily watching Socrates and Protarchus hash it out. Jowett is his familiarly grumpy self in his intro to this piece. He's clearly not a fan but I enjoyed it.
A lot of the content is familiar from Symposium and so on, though as Jowett points out, Socrates' arguments are a lot more psychological than theological in their backing. Perhaps due to the dialogue's place in the Platonic chronology.
Idea that the soul wants whatever is contrary to the body is rather unorthodox and eyebrow-raising. Was reminded of the old death wish and Freud's somewhat dubious that all organisms will their own destruction. Can't recommend this as more than a curiosity really, though brevity allures, as ever.
alanrussellfuller's review
3.0
Socrates teaches that the names mind and wisdom are to be honored most. These names may be said to have their best and most exact application when the mind is engaged in the contemplation of true being.
selaadin's review
3.0
This isn't a complaint, since I find Plato dialogues very charming for their miscellaneous banter, but half of the dialogue itself consisted of slight reworded repeats of the following:
Socrates: But you have forgotten one thing!
Protarchus: What's that?
Socrates: I will tell you now!
Protarchus: Please tell me.
However, when you get past it stylistically, this whole book, introduction and dialogue, gives very detailed analysis on Plato's views on pleasure and pain, and how they interact with knowledge and reason. Not a pinnacle piece to read to understand Plato's views and perspective, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in Plato's opinions on virtues and the soul.
Socrates: But you have forgotten one thing!
Protarchus: What's that?
Socrates: I will tell you now!
Protarchus: Please tell me.
However, when you get past it stylistically, this whole book, introduction and dialogue, gives very detailed analysis on Plato's views on pleasure and pain, and how they interact with knowledge and reason. Not a pinnacle piece to read to understand Plato's views and perspective, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in Plato's opinions on virtues and the soul.
panicpillow's review
5.0
This is probably my favourite of Plato's dialogues. The structure is fascinating, the rebellious aporia towards the end is beautiful and the set up is all to familiar: An opponent who claims to have found the truth but does not want to discuss its validity and who get defended by someone who claims to be impartial.
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