Kristian Zahrtmann, Socrates and Alcibiades, 1911 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Kristian Zahrtmann, Socrates and Alcibiades, 1911 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
2,907 words
Part 7 of 7 (Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, Part 6 here)
Wisdom vs. Tyranny
Having established that the true self is the soul and defended philosophical dialogue as the best path to self-knowledge, Socrates wraps up his argument. (more…)
John William Waterhouse, Psyche Opening The Golden Box, 1903
John William Waterhouse, Psyche Opening The Golden Box, 1903
5,755 words
Part 6 of 7 (Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, Part 7 here)
The final part of the Alcibiades I deals with the self and self-knowledge. Most ancient commentators held that this discussion is the core of the dialogue.
From Self-Cultivation to Self-Knowledge
Socrates has finally gotten Alcibiades to admit that he needs to pursue self-cultivation. But what is self-cultivation? We must answer that question lest we mistakenly cultivate something other than ourselves. (more…)
