Philosophy Audiobooks: Recent Episodes
Geoffrey Edwards
Unabridged philosophy audiobooks including writing by Plato (Parmenides), Aristotle (Economics) and Cicero (On Moral Duties). Topics discussed include ethics, justice, law, logic, metaphysics, God, happiness, love and beauty. Each book has been streamlined by merging separate LibriVox recordings into a single seamless whole with no interruptions. Painting: La Perle et la vague by Paul-Jacques-Aimé Baudry.
On Marvellous Things Heard (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΘΑΥΜΑΣΙΩΝ ΑΚΟΥΣΜΑΤΩΝ; Latin: De Mirabilibus Auscultationibus) is attributed to Aristotle (ΑΡΙΣΤΟΤΕΛΗΣ) but may have been written by another author.
Translated by Launcelot D. Dowdall.
Painting: The Last Judgment by Hans Memling, c.1471.
Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Concerning Indivisible Lines (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΑΤΟΜΩΝ ΓΡΑΜΜΩΝ; Latin: De Lineis Insecabilibus) is attributed to Aristotle but may have had another author.
Translated by Harold H. Joachim.
Painting: Ascent of the Blessed by Hieronymus Bosch, c.1515.
Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
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Of Numbers (0:00:00)
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How Ideas Multiply (1:36:17)
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Of the Will of the One (4:54:49)
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Of the Good and the One (6:35:44)
Translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie. Painting: Archangel Gabriel; The Virgin Annunciate by Gerard David, c1510. Digital image courtesy of The Met. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the Public Domain.
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Of the Ten Aristotelian Categories (0:00:00)
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The Categories of Plotinos (2:17:46)
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Plotinos's Own Sense-Categories (4:09:17)
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The One Identical Essence is Everywhere Entirely Present (6:24:30)
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The One Identical Essence is Everywhere Entirely Present (7:39:26)
Translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie. Photograph: A Study by Henry Peach Robinson, 1858. Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
VIII 0:32:29 IX 1:32:04 X 2:32:57 XI 4:09:38 XII 5:20:43 XIII 6:58:04 Metaphysics (Greek: ΜΕΤΑ ΤΑ ΦΥΣΙΚΑ; Latin: METAPHYSICA) by Aristotle. Translated by John M'Mahon. Painting: The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis by Jacques-Louis David, 1818. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain. Proof-Listener: Guero.
I (the less) 1:34:58 II 1:48:56 III 2:46:35 IV 4:01:58 V 5:43:34 VI 6:06:20 Metaphysics (Greek: ΜΕΤΑ ΤΑ ΦΥΣΙΚΑ; Latin: METAPHYSICA) translated by John M’Mahon. Painting: Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Guido Reni. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain. Proof-Listener: Guero.
Aristotle names the heart as the life principle responsible for sensation and nutrition in all sanguineous animals and argues that every living thing has a soul which is extinguished at death. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Painting: Vampire by Edvard Munch, 1895. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
IX 1:11:33, X 2:50:00, XI 4:18:10, XII 5:44:59 Laws (Greek: ΝΟΜΟΙ, Latin: De Legibus) is the final dialogue written by Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Woodcut: The Beast with the Lamb's Horns and the Beast with Seven Heads by Albrecht Dürer. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Mechanics (Greek: ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΑ, Latin: Mechanica) is attributed to Aristotle but may have been written by Archytas (ΑΡΧΥΤΑΣ). The 35 books discuss topics including the relationship between circles, levers and pulleys. Translated by Edward Forster. Painting: Faustine Léo (1832–1865) by Henri Lehmann, 1842. Scanned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edward are in the public domain.
II 1:21:55, III 2:31:21, IV 3:56:07 V 4:57:24, VI 6:02:39, VII 7:45:14 Laws (Greek: ΝΟΜΟΙ, Latin: De Legibus) is the final dialogue written by Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Lot and his Daughters by Orazio Gentileschi. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
On Sleeping and Waking (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΥΠΝΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΓΡΗΓΟΡΣΕΩΣ; Latin: DE SOMNO ET VIGILIA) is also known as On Sleep and Sleeplessness. In this book Aristotle discusses the relationship between sleep and the body, soul and sensation. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Painting: Le Sommeil by Gustave Courbet, 1866. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
II: 1:24:00 III 3:02:03 On the Laws (Latin: De Legibus) by Cicero. Translated by Charles Duke Yonge. It is unknown how many books De Legibus originally contained but several complete books have been lost. Cicero's emphasis in the surviving work is on the nature and purpose of law as opposed to providing answers to specific legal questions. Photograph: Draped Model by Jean-Louis-Marie-Eugène Durieu possibly with Eugène Delacroix. LibriVox recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Book II: 49:34 On Plants (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΦΥΤΩΝ; Latin: De Plantis) may have been written by Nicolaus of Damascus (ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ ΔΑΜΑΣΚΗΝΟΣ) instead of Aristotle. Sexual reproduction, parasitism, earthquakes and buoyancy are discussed and a correlation is drawn between the shape of thorns and the shape of fire. Translated by Edward Forster. Painting: La Source by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1856. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
This fifth of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books:
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The Three Principal Hypostases, or Forms of Existence (0:00:00)
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Of Generation, and of the Order of things that Rank Next After the First (0:51:53)
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The Self-Consciousnesses, and What is Above Them (1:00:08)
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How What is After the First Proceeds Therefrom; of the One (2:22:52)
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That Intelligible Entities Are Not External to the Intelligence of the Good (2:34:54)
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The Superessential Principle Does Not Think (3:34:46)
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Do Ideas of Individuals Exist (3:54:35)
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Concerning Intelligible Beauty (4:05:30)
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Of Intelligence, Ideas and Essence (5:08:23)
Painting: The Angel of Death by Émile Jean-Horace Vernet.
Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
II 1:05:10 III 2:05:07 IV 2:58:12 V 4:41:28 VI 5:31:34 VII 6:48:33 VIII 7:33:08 Physics (Greek: ΦΥΣΙΚΗ ΑΚΡΟΑΣΙΣ; Latin: PHYSICA) by Aristotle. Translated by Thomas Taylor. Read for LibriVox by Geoffrey Edwards. Meta-Coordinator/Cataloging: Carolin Kaiser. Dedicated Proof-Listener: Kajo. Painting: Portrait of Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth by Peter Lely, c.1674. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Physiognomonics (Greek: ΦΥΣΙΟΓΝΩΜΟΝΙΚΑ, Latin: Physiognomonica) was probably not written by Aristotle. The text discusses physiognomy. Translated by T. Loveday and E.S. Forster. Read for LibriVox in English by Geoffrey Edwards. Painting: The Annunciation, with Saint Emidius by Carlo Crivelli, 1486. This recording and cover design are in the public domain.
Book II - 2:05:36 Book III - 4:53:25 On the Nature of the Gods (Latin: De Natura Deorum) outlines Stoic, Epicurean and Academic (Skeptical) views on religious questions. Problems discussed include: evil, the origin of the world, divination and characteristics of God. Translated by Charles Duke Yonge. Painting: Daniel and Cyrus Before the Idol Bel by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.
The Situations and Names of Winds (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΘΕΣΕΩΣ ΑΝΕΜΩΝ, Latin: VENTORUM SITUS) may not have been written by Aristotle. The translator Edward Forster believes the peripatetic philosopher Theophrastus (ΘΕΟΦΡΑΣΤΟΣ) may have been the actual author. The four cardinal and eight intermediate winds are named. Gaps in the recording signify portions of the text which have been lost. Painting: Les épreuves by Gustave Moreau.
This forth of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books:
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Of the Being of the Soul (0:00:00)
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How the Soul Mediates Between Indivisible and Divisible Essence (0:02:59)
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Are Not All Souls Parts or Emanations of a Single Soul? (0:18:57)
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Questions About the Soul (2:27:04)
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About the Process of Vision and Hearing (5:31:10)
6: Of Sensation and Memory (6:14:53)
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Of the Immortality of the Soul (6:31:27)
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Of the Descent of the Soul Into the Body (7:47:49)
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Whether All Souls Form a Single One (8:24:55)
Painting: The Virgin Adoring the Host by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1852.
On Colours (American English: On Colors, Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΧΡΩΜΑΤΩΝ, Latin: DE COLORIBUS) may not have been written by Aristotle. Theophrastus or Strato who were the second and third scholarchs of the Lyceum (ΛΥΚΕΙΟΝ) may have been the actual author. The writer emphasizes the use of observation to confirm his or her theories regarding the mechanisms causing colour and colour change in elements, plants and animals. Translated by Thomas Loveday & Edward Forster. Read in English for LibriVox by Geoffrey Edwards. Painting: Comtesse d'Haussonville by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
On Memory and Recollection (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΜΝΗΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑΜΝΗΣΕΩΣ, Latin: DE MEMORIA ET REMINISCENTIA) by Aristotle. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Read for LibriVox by Geoffrey Edwards. Painting: La Baigneuse Valpinçon by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1808.
On Dreams (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΕΝΥΠΝΙΩΝ, Latin: DE INSOMNIIS) discusses sensation when awake and dreaming. Written by Aristotle. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Painting: Portrait of Louise-Antoinette Feuardent by Jean-François Millet, 1841. Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum.
On Things Heard (Greek ΠΕΡΙ ΑΚΟΥΣΤΩΝ, Latin DE AUDIBILIBUS) is a work which was formerly attributed to Aristotle, but is now generally believed to be the work of Strato of Lampsacus who was the third scholarch of the Lyceum. Our extant version of On Things Heard is made up of long extracts included in Porphyry's Commentary on Ptolemy's Harmonics, and is thus partial. The extracts are concerned with the nature of sound production. (Wikipedia)
Painting: Jeanne d’Arc au sacre du roi Charles VII (Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1854.
On Melissus, Xenophanes, and Gorgias (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΜΕΛΙΣΣΟΥ, ΞΕΝΟΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΓΟΡΓΙΟΥ; Latin: DE MELISSO, XENOPHANE, GORGIA) may not have been written by Aristotle. Translated by T. Loveday and E.S. Forster. Painting: Auto de Fe en la Plaza Mayor de Madrid, Francisco Rizi, 1683, óleo sobre lienzo, 277 x 438 cm, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
This third of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books:
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Concerning Fate (0:00:00)
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Of Providence (0:31:39)
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Continuation of That on Providence (1:49:41)
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Of Our Individual Guardian (2:20:34)
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Of Love, or "Eros" (2:44:01)
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Of the Impassibility of Incorporeal Entities (3:27:41)
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Of Time and Eternity (4:56:20)
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Of Nature, Contemplation and Unity (6:11:06)
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Fragments About the Soul, the Intelligence, and the Good (7:01:53)
Engraving: Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer.
On Longevity and Shortness of Life (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΜΑΚΡΟΒΙΟΤΗΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΒΡΑΧΥΒΙΟΤΗΤΟΣ; Latin: DE LONGITUDINE ET BREVITATE VITAE) is one of the seven short treatises on nature (Latin: PARVA NATURALIA). In this text Aristotle provides explanations for the different lifespans of plants, animals, men and women. Translated by William Alexander Hammond. Photograph: Seated Woman with "Spirit" of a Young Man by Unknown Maker about 1865-1875. Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum.
The Constitution of Athens (Greek: ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ ΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑ) was written by Aristotle or one of his students. The text was lost until discovered in the late 19th century in Egypt. Topics discussed include Solon's legislative reforms abolishing debt slavery and the rise and decline of democracy and tyranny in Athens. Translated by Frederic G. Kenyon. Painting: Triumph of the Marine Venus by Sebastiano Ricci. Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum.
On Prophecy in Sleep (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΘ ΥΠΝΟΝ ΜΑΝΤΙΚΗΣ) is also known as On Divination in Sleep (Latin: DE DIVINATIONE PER SOMNUM). In this short book Aristotle asks why alleged prophetic dreams typically come to base people at night instead of to the wise during the day which would be more consistent with a benevolent deity. Painting: Shepherd and Sleeping Shepherdess attributed to Reyer Jacobsz van Blommendael (1628-1675). Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum.
Sophist (ΣΟΦΙΣΤΗΣ) is a dialogue written by Plato which discusses being and not-being while drawing a distinction between true philosophers and mere sophists. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Read in English by Geoffrey Edwards. Meta Coordinator: Bart de Leeuw. Proof Listener: Rapunzelina. Painting: Andromeda by Edward Poynter, 1869.
This second of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books:
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Of the Heaven
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About the Movement of the Heavens
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Whether Astrology is of any Value
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Of Matter
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Of the Aristotelian Distinction Between Actuality and Potentiality
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Of Essence and Being
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About Mixture to the Point of Total Penetration
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Of Sight
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Against the Gnostics; or, That the Creator and the World are Not Evil.
Painting: The Victory of Faith by St. George Hare, c. 1890-91.
Theaetetus (Ancient Greek: ΘΕΑΙΤΗΤΟΣ) discusses epistemological concepts including perception, true judgment and knowledge. Socrates compares the human mind to a piece of wax and is critical of lawyers who seek only to persuade using rhetoric. Painting: The Studio by Honoré Daumier.
This first of the six Enneads (ΕΝΝΕΑΔΕΣ) written by Plotinus (ΠΛΩΤΙΝΟΣ); arranged by Porphyry (ΠΟΡΦΥΡΙΟΣ) and translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie contains the following nine books:
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The Organism and the Self
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Concerning Virtue
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Of Dialectic, or the Means of Raising the Soul to the Intelligible World
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Whether Animals May Be Termed Happy
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Does Happiness Increase With Time?
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Of Beauty
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Of the First Good, and of the Other Goods
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Of the Nature and Origin of Evils
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Of Suicide
Photograph: Girl standing near tree by Kusakabe Kimbei (Japan, 1870s - 1890s). Scanned by the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Eudemian Ethics (Greek: ΗΘΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΔΗΜΙΩΝ Latin: ETHICA EUDEMIA) outlines Aristotle's ethical philosophy. Topics include virtue, friendship, happiness, justice, courage, wisdom, temperance and God. It is believed to have been written before Nicomachean Ethics and to be named after Eudemus of Rhodes. Books IV, V, and VI of Eudemian Ethics are identical to books V, VI, and VII of Nicomachean Ethics and are excluded from this translation. Translated by J. Solomon. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards. Meta Coordinator: TriciaG. Proof Listener: Bala. Cover: After the Bath by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Magna Moralia (Ancient Greek: ΗΘΙΚΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΩΝ English: Great Ethics) discusses topics including friendship, virtue, happiness and God. It is disputed whether Aristotle wrote Magna Moralia. This author concludes that it is absurd to suggest that God contemplates only God but does not propose an alternative activity for God.
Translated by St. George William Joseph Stock. Audiobook read in English by Geoffrey Edwards. Proof listened by Larry Wilson. Meta-Coordinated by Bart de Leeuw. Cover: The Wave by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1896.
Statesman (Greek: ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΟΣ Latin: POLITICUS) discusses God's role in maintaining the Universe and describes the statesman as a good shepherd who promotes intermarriage between the orderly (rich) and courageous (poor). Painting: Eighty and Eighteen by John William Godward. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
Parmenides (ΠΑΡΜΕΝΙΔΗΣ) recounts a meeting between Socrates, Zeno and Parmenides. Topics discussed include universals, plurality and the One. Photograph: Cotton-Mill Worker, North Carolina by Lewis W. Hine. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
Olympiodorus the Younger (ΟΛΥΜΠΙΟΔΩΡΟΣ Ο ΝΕΩΤΕΡΟΣ) was a Neoplatonist philosopher who lived in the early years of the Byzantine Empire. Justinian's Decree of 529 AD closed Plato's Academy in Athens and other Pagan schools but Olympiodorus avoided persecution in part because the Alexandrian School was less involved in politics. At his death the School passed into the hands of Christian Aristotelians. Painting: La fábula de Leda (The Fable of Leda) by Eugenio Cajés (1575-1634) and based off of a painting by Antonio da Correggio (1489-1534). Translated by George Burges. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
The Life of Plato was writtenby Hesychius of Miletus who lived in Constantinople and flourished during the reign of Saint Justinian the Great. Painting: Femme nue au chien by Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet. Translated by George Burges. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
Apuleius on the Doctrines of Plato which is also known as On Plato and his Doctrine (Latin: De Dogmate Platonis) is divided into three parts. Book I: On Natural Philosophy. Book II: On Moral Philosophy. Book III: On the Philosophy of Reasoning. Painting: Cupid and Psyche by François Pascal Simon. Translated by George Burges. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
The Introduction of Alcinous to the Doctrines of Plato which is also known as The Handbook of Platonism (ΕΠΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΛΑΤΩΝΟΣ ΔΟΓΜΑΤΩΝ) is attributed to the Middle Platonist philosopher Alcinous (ΑΛΚΙΝΟΥΣ) who lived around the 2nd century AD. Painting: The Birth of Bacchus by Giulio Romano (Giulio Pippi) and Workshop. Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum. Translated by George Burges. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
The Introduction of Albinus to the Dialogues of Plato was written in the 2nd Century CE by Albinus (ΑΛΒΙΝΟΣ) the teacher of Galen (ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΣ ΓΑΛΗΝΟΣ). Painting: The Triumph of Death by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Translated by George Burges. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
Cratylus (ΚΡΑΤΥΛΟΣ) discusses whether things have names by mere convention or have true names which can only be correctly applied to the object named and may have originated from God. Painting: Oedipus and the Sphinx by Gustave Moreau. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Audiobook read by Geoffrey Edwards.
Axiochus (ΑΞΙΟΧΟΣ) may not have been written by Plato. Socrates presents various arguments to the gravely ill Axiochus for why he should not fear death. The first is that the dead experience nothing because they do not exist and so by definition can not suffer from death. When this argument fails Socrates discusses the immortality of the soul, predestination, the final judgement, the joys of the afterlife for the good and the sufferings of the damned. Photograph: Moki Girls by John K. Hillers.
The Treatise of Timaeus the Locrian on the Soul of the World and Nature (Ancient Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΦΥΣΙΟΣ ΚΟΣΜΩ ΚΑΙ ΨΥΧΑΣ; Latin: Timaeus Locrus) may not have been written by Plato. The Pythagorean philosopher Timaeus describes the creation of the world by God and the Demiurge using the eternal forms as guides and matter composed of Platonic solids. Painting: The Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse.
Definitions (Greek: ΟΡΟΙ; Latin: DEFINITIONES) may not have been written by Plato. The text provides what some consider to be occasionally flawed definitions for 186 philosophical terms including wisdom, justice, fortitude, temperance, knowledge, soul and God. Watercolour Painting: The Great Dragon and the Woman Clothed in the Sun by William Blake.
Demodocus (ΔΗΜΟΔΟΚΟΣ) my not have been written by Plato. The author asks the following questions: If citizens are competent to vote correctly then why do they need advisors? If either a complainant or defendant is lying then why is it beneficial to hear the party who is lying instead of just hearing the truthful person? If someone refuses to lend money when asked then who is at fault? Is it a mistake to give credence to a stranger? Painting: Judith Beheading Holofernes by Michelangelo Merisi.
Sisyphus (ΣΙΣΥΦΟΣ) is also known as Upon Taking Counsel and may not have been written by Plato. In this short dialogue Socrates asks Sisyphus: Can a person who knows nothing about a subject consult about that subject? Painting: Susannah and the Elders by Guido Reni.
On Justice (Greek: ΠΕΡΙ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ; Latin: De Justo) may not have been written by Plato. In this five page dialogue Socrates asks his friend if the unjust choose to be wicked or are bad though ignorance. Triptych: The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1510.
On Virtue (ΠΕΡΙ ΑΡΕΤΗΣ) may not have been written by Plato. Socrates asks his friend the following questions: If virtue can be taught why were eminent Greeks of the past unable to teach their own children to be good? If virtue is a natural characteristic why aren't there specialists who can identify which children will grow up to become good? Socrates and his friend conclude that virtue must be a divine gift to the individual for the benefit of the state. Painting: The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Book II 2:21:36, III 3:32:37, IV 5:07:12, V 6:36:43
Tusculan Disputations (Latin: TUSCULANARUM DISPUTATIONUM) is divided into five books which discuss death, pain, grief, perturbations and virtue. At issue is whether wise people can always be happy regardless of the apparent evil that fortune throws in their way. Andrew Peabody says the A. and M. in the text may stand for Auditor, Adolescens, Atticus or Aulus and Marcus or Magister. Painting: The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche.
Epinomis (ΕΠΙΝΟΜΙΣ) may not have been written by Plato. The text praises mathematics and astronomy as the purest forms of religious expression by arguing that God implanted mathematical tendencies in humans and that the stars are subject to divine influence. Photograph: Versailles, Maison Close, Petit Place, Mars 1921 (Brothel, Versailles, Petit Place, March 1921) by Eugène Atget.
The thirteen Epistles (Greek: ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΑΙ; Latin: EPISTOLAE) may or many not have been written by Plato. If genuine these letters provide a glimpse into the personal life of Plato including his financial concerns and political involvement with the tyrant Dionysius II. Coded language and hidden messages appear to have been used in the letters making parts difficult to understand. Translated by George Burges. Painting: Portrait of the Sisters Zénaïde and Charlotte Bonaparte by Jacques-Louis David (French, 1748 - 1825), 1821. Scanned by The J. Paul Getty Museum.
Minos (ΜΙΝΩΣ) may not have been written by Plato. Socrates and a friend discuss whether laws are established by convention or discovered. Translated by George Burges. Painting: Portrait of Barbara Kressin by Netherlandish Master, active Germany, 1544.
Clitopho is the Latin title the short dialogue which is also known as Clitophon or Cleitophon (ΚΛΕΙΤΟΦΩΝ). Plato may or may not have been the author. Clitopho complains that Socrates is good at exhorting people to justice but not able to make them just. Translated by George Burges. Painting: After the Bath by Edgar Degas.
Theages (ΘΕΑΓΗΣ) may not have been written by Plato. The dialogue discusses who the proper teacher is for young Theages to learn the skills of a tyrant. Translated by George Burges. Painting: David with the Head of Goliath by Guido Cagnacci.
Hipparchus (ΙΠΠΑΡΧΟΣ) may not have been written by Plato. The dialogue discusses whether iniquitous gain is really gain at all. Translated by George Burges. Painting: The Ransom by John Everett Millais.
Rival Lovers (Ancient Greek: ΕΡΑΣΤΑΙ or ΑΝΤΕΡΑΣΤΑΙ Latin: AMATORES) which is also known as The Rivals may not have been written by Plato. Socrates, an athlete and an advocate of liberal education discuss whether philosophers are useful to society and reach some uncertain conclusions. Translated by George Burges. Painting: Three Lovers by Théodore Géricault.
Hippias Major (ΙΠΠΙΑΣ ΜΕΙΖΩΝ) may not have been written by Plato. The dialogue discusses what true beauty is and includes a maiden, gold and a porridge spoon as possible instances. Translated by George Burges. Painting: The Eternal Feminine (L'Éternel Féminin) c.1877 by Paul Cézanne.
Second Alcibiades (ΑΛΚΙΒΙΑΔΗΣ Β) is also known as On Prayer. It is not certain whether Plato was the author. The text discusses prayer and concludes that it is best not to ask for specific things from God. Translated by George Burges. Illumination: Cutting from an Antiphonal c. 1465 attributed to Bartolomeo Rigossi da Gallarate.
Philebus (ΦΙΛΗΒΟΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses topics including pleasure, wisdom, the soul and God. The indulgent life of an oyster is contrasted with the thoughtful life of a philosopher. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Photograph: Mariana by Henry Peach Robinson.
Book II 2:35:05 Book III 4:10:00
On Duties (Latin: DE OFFICIIS) discusses virtue, expediency and apparent conflicts between the two. St. Ambrose, St. Jerome and other Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church considered it to be legitimate for study. Anthony Grafton says that it was the second book after the Bible printed on Gutenberg's press. It was a standard text taught at Eton College. Translated by Walter Miller. Painting: Phryne Revealed Before the Areopagus by Jean-Léon Gérôme.
Lysis (ΛΥΣΙΣ) discusses friendship and love between the good and bad. Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen named his villa on the Italian island of Capri after this Socratic dialogue. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Illumination: Denise Poncher before a Vision of Death by Master of the Chronique scandaleuse c.1500.
Book II 1:11:11 Book III 3:23:06 Book IV 4:44:32 Book V 6:11:11
On the Ends of Good and Evil (Latin: DE FINIBUS BONORUM ET MALORUM) discusses Skeptic, Epicurean, Stoic, Peripatetic and Academic views on the good life. Written by Marcus Tullius Cicero. Translated by Harris Rackham. Painting: A Young Girl Defending Herself against Eros by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Charmides (ΧΑΡΜΙΔΗΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses the virtues of temperance, modesty and self control. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: The Daughter of the Painter by Charles Joshua Chaplin.
Laches (ΛΑΧΗΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses examples of courage including weapons masters, soldiers who stand firm in battle, ferocious animals and the wise person who endures evils. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: The Sacrifice of Polyxena by Giovanni Battista Pittoni.
Menexenus (ΜΕΝΕΞΕΝΟΣ) is thought to have been written by Plato (ΠΛΑΤΩΝ). The dialogue consists of Socrates (ΣΩΚΡΑΤΗΣ) recounting a funeral oration he claims to have learned from the female philosopher Aspasia (ΑΣΠΑΣΙΑ) who may have been wealthy, a courtesan or both. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Illumination: Saint Hedwig of Silesia with Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg and Duchess Agnes c. 1353 by an Unknown maker.
Eryxias (ΕΡΥΞΙΑΣ) is a Socratic dialogue which may not have been written by Plato (ΠΛΑΤΩΝ). The dialogue discusses whether wealth has value and what the aim of philosophy should be. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Portrait of Maria Frederike van Reede-Athlone at Seven Years of Age by Jean-Étienne Liotard. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Economics (Ancient Greek: ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΑ; Latin: OECONOMICA) may not have been written by Aristotle. The author provides examples of methods used by the state to raise money including debt, currency devaluation, commodity controls, tariffs, sales tax, fines, violence and sacrilege. Translated by Edward Seymour Forster. Painting: Allegory of Fortune by Salvator Rosa. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
Euthydemus (ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΣ) and Dionysodorus the sophists discuss the true meaning of words with Socrates in this dialogue written by Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Perseus and Andromeda by Sir Frederic Leighton. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.