h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Small typo I think, but significant...

Plato was born about 428BC (I think), so the article probably meant to say 4-5 *century* BC, not 4-5 BC.

If I was going to be *very* pedantic, I'd point out that because BC dates descend into the future, it's considered good practice to write spans the other way round e.g. 5-4 century BC. But I'm not going to be pedantic, and it doesn't matter anyway, so I won't mention it.

Good article, by the way!

Oh, might also be worth mentioning that the Socrates who appears in Plato's dialogs is not necessarily the 'same' Socrates who actually lived.

Many philosophers/historians have come to the conclusion that (particularly in his later writings) Plato was using Socrates as a mouthpiece for certain ideas that allowed Plato to expand upon his own thoughts, rather than having Socrates say what he had *really* said when he was alive.

But then again, poor old Socrates (bless 'im) wasn't much of a writer. So we can only piece together what he thought from other accounts.

Now if he'd launched an 8-CD collection of "Socrates' greatest speeches"...

Wasn't much of a writer as in didn't write anything at all.

Erm, I thought the article I wrote DID say 5-4 Century B.C., I'll have to garotte the editor I think. Anyway, I also thought that perhaps Plato made Socrates up for some reason, but I thought that perhaps there never was a Socrates, and it just became a kind of "John Smith" or "Joe Bloggs" of ancient Athens.

What do you think?

P.S. It would be easier to release "Socrates' Greatest Speeches" on DVD, surely?

Editors, huh? Who'd have 'em?

I think it's almost certain that there was a Socrates; I believe he's mentioned in some other philosophers' writings. This is discussed in an excellent book I recently read called _Alpha Beta_ by John Man. It covers the history of the alphabet, and talks about the transition from an oral to written culture.

(Can't look it up right now 'cos my girlfriend has got it. Can't complain though 'cos she did buy it for my birthday! )

P.S. On DVD? Don't be silly! Think about it! They didn't have DVDs in Socrates' day!

I offer up my neck for garrotting... Plato date now changed.

Sam

Where'd I put the cheese wire...

Ok.. I know this conversation was ages ago.. but I'm gonna reply anyway

Yes.. to Jim, is is quite quite possible that Plato was not merely recording Socrates, but inventing some of it as hge developed his dialogues.

Some writers think Plato's Socrates was basically a wuss, and think other writers (of the time) portrayed him better. Although what Kierkegaard, writing so long after the event, can really know about who Socrates really was seems dubious.

Furthermore, I think it's that Socrates represents the character he was in history, for all authors and critics agree he just would'nt stop asking questions.. and as Plato was essentially his student... it's probably more of a characterised representation, using Socrates the character as a demonstration of the way Socrates' mind worked, and the sort of things he said, rather than a transcription!