These dialogues contain the core concepts of Platonic philosophy and serve as a good introduction to the legacy of Socrates and philosophy in the golden age of Greece. I've read these dialogues probably a dozen times in my life and discover something new with each read.

I’m trying to work on the foundational texts of western philosophy, so I picked this up to begin. It’s a great selection of dialogues that all have some connection to Socrates’ execution.

Of course, Socrates is the master of breaking down his opponents’ arguments and generally making them look like a chump with some shit-eating grin on his face. This part is fun because the reader can put themselves on the side of Socrates and call out ignorance parading as knowledge. However, in those moments when Socrates is being kind to a person while instructing them we see a great pedagogical tactic at play that still works.

My favorite was Phaedo. Mostly because it was the most tender of the dialogues. You’ve got all these friends gathered together to say goodbye to their teacher and role model; and they are scared, and sad, and hurt. The questions they ask are the questions of people trying not to slip into despair, with all the fearfulness that accompanies it. And Socrates helps them through the night. Tells them not to worry. Soothes their pain and clears a noble path to death. There were moments I teared up while reading it.

Also, my copy is pretty old. The glue was failing so I pulled each page apart as I read. It was a satisfying physical act while reading an ancient text.

Steve said it’s weird to read a philosophy book all the way through, so I stopped at Phaedo. Will return someday :)

We didn't actually read Crito, Meno, or Phaedo for class, but you know, Socrates, dude...

Not what I'd call *light* reading, but I'm teaching a class in the spring that will focus on several passages. First time in over twenty years for me to read it (again).

1. This makes me feel stupid, but in a good way.
2. Socrates is the original troll but instead of using his smartassery to sealion good arguments regarding basic human rights, he uses questions to deconstruct bad ones and make people smarter.

“I am better off than he is,—for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows; I neither know nor think that I know.”

“There is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse.”

Respectfully, that's a lot of yapping! I mostly picked this up to help my dear friend Anne with her PHIL 100 term paper. As a writing consultant at my university, it’s part of my job to stay familiar with the material students may write on, and this classic collection definitely fits the bill.

Reading Five Dialogues feels like sitting in on a never-ending debate. The conversations are dense, full of questions that lead to more questions (and almost no answers), and, while fascinating, they demand a lot of focus. Socrates is at his most Socratic here, turning every simple concept into an existential puzzle.

That said, these dialogues do showcase the foundation of Western philosophy and provide a lot to think about. The themes—ethics, the pursuit of knowledge, and the meaning of life and death—are timeless, and Plato’s writing (or Socrates’ arguing) encourages readers to dig deep and question their own beliefs.

While I appreciated the significance of these works, I can’t say I enjoyed them on a personal level. They can be dry, repetitive, and a bit exhausting, especially if you’re not already invested in philosophical discussions. Still, they’re invaluable for understanding the origins of philosophical thought, and I found it rewarding to revisit these texts through the lens of Anne’s coursework.

In the end, I respect Five Dialogues for what it is: a cornerstone of philosophy that continues to spark debate centuries later. Would I have read it on my own? Probably not (but I would have to read it for my Minor). But it definitely makes you think—and I suppose that’s the point!