Key Concepts

Dialogue Summary
Euthyphro

This dialogue explores the concept of piety (or holiness) and tackles the question of what is truly pious.

Socrates argues that piety cannot be defined by what the gods approve or disapprove of, as they often disagree among themselves. Instead, he suggests that piety must be based on an objective standard of what is truly good or holy.
Apology

This dialogue is Socrates' defense speech at his trial, where he was accused of impiety and corrupting the minds of the youth.

Socrates argues that he is not guilty because he has spent his life trying to improve the moral character of the Athenians and encouraging them to pursue virtue and wisdom. He claims that his questioning of others' beliefs is not meant to corrupt but to expose ignorance and lead people toward true knowledge.
Crito

This dialogue takes place in Socrates' prison cell after his trial. Crito, a friend of Socrates, urges him to escape from prison to avoid his death sentence.

Socrates argues that it would be wrong to escape because it would be a violation of the laws he has agreed to obey as a citizen of Athens. He believes that one must obey the laws, even if they are unjust, unless they are so egregiously unjust that it would be better to accept the punishment than to obey them.
Phaedo

This dialogue recounts Socrates' final conversations with his disciples before his execution by drinking poisonous hemlock.

Socrates argues that the soul is immortal and that true philosophers should welcome death as a release from the body, which hinders the pursuit of pure knowledge. He also presents arguments for the existence of an afterlife and the immortality of the soul.

Quotes

Dialogue Quote
Apology "I am not afraid of death. I believe that the final hour comes inevitably when we are not expecting it; and for the same reason, I believe that those who have spent their lives in philosophy are nearer to finding a good end than those who have spent them otherwise."
Crito "Think not of life and children first, and of justice afterwards, but of justice first, that you may be justified before the princes of the world below, for neither will you nor any that belong to you be happier or holier or more just by doing wrong."
Phaedo "The soul, whose inseparable attribute is life, will never admit of life’s opposite, death. Thus, the soul is shown to be immortal, and since immortal, indestructible. Do not that enden against themselves willingly; for yet they will."'
Euthyphro "Is the pious being loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?” This succinctly highlights the essence of a philosophical problem concerning moral objectivism and divine command theory."

Contents

Dialogue Chapter Summary
Euthyphro Chapter 1: The Encounter Socrates meets Euthyphro outside the court where Socrates is to be tried; they discuss why Euthyphro is there.
Chapter 2: The Nature of Piety Euthyphro claims to have knowledge of piety, leading to a discussion with Socrates questioning what truly constitutes piety.
Chapter 3: Definitions of Piety Socrates and Euthyphro explore various definitions of piety, each criticized and found lacking by Socrates.
Chapter 4: The Dilemma Euthyphro introduces the idea that piety is what all gods love, leading to Socrates presenting the famous Euthyphro dilemma.
Chapter 5: The Conclusion The discussion ends inconclusively, with Euthyphro leaving in frustration and Socrates heading to his trial.
Apology Chapter 1: The Accusation Socrates defends himself against the charges of corrupting the youth and impiety, outlining the unjust nature of the accusations.
Chapter 2: Defense of Philosophy Socrates explains his philosophical mission and his sense of duty to question and seek truth as a divine command.
Chapter 3: The Oracle at Delphi Socrates recounts the story of the Oracle's pronouncement that he is the wisest of men because he recognizes his own ignorance.
Chapter 4: Cross-Examination Socrates engages in cross-examination of his accusers, revealing the contradictions and weaknesses in their arguments.
Chapter 5: The Sentencing After being found guilty, Socrates suggests his own punishment should be a reward but ultimately is sentenced to death by the jury.
Chapter 6: Final Words Socrates delivers his final words to the jury, urging them to care for their souls and warning them of the consequences of silencing a critic.
Chapter 7: Acceptance of Fate Socrates calmly accepts the sentence of death, reiterating his belief in the immortality of the soul and the philosopher's duty to seek truth.
Crito Chapter 1: Crito's Visit Crito visits Socrates in prison, urging him to escape and avoid execution.
Chapter 2: Argument for Escape Crito presents his arguments for why escaping would be just and beneficial for Socrates.
Chapter 3: Socratic Principles Socrates discusses the importance of justice, principle, and the social contract, emphasizing that one must never do wrong intentionally.
Chapter 4: Examination of Justice Socrates methodically dissects Crito's arguments, highlighting the deeper implications of escaping versus upholding the law.
Chapter 5: The Decision Socrates concludes that escaping would be unjust and dishonorable, reinforcing his commitment to his principles and moral integrity.
Chapter 6: Final Resolution Crito concedes to Socrates' reasoning, and Socrates resolves to face his fate as a testament to his philosophical beliefs.
Phaedo Chapter 1: The Gathering Friends and disciples gather around Socrates in his prison cell on the day of his execution to discuss the soul's immortality.
Chapter 2: Argument from Opposites Socrates presents his first argument for the soul's immortality, suggesting that life and death are opposites that generate each other.
Chapter 3: Argument from Recollection Socrates introduces the theory of recollection, proposing that learning is a matter of recalling knowledge the soul possessed before birth.
Chapter 4: Argument from Affinity Socrates argues that the soul is more akin to the eternal and immutable world of ideas, indicating its immortality.
Chapter 5: Final Argument Socrates presents a final argument that the soul must be immortal as it is the source of life and cannot admit its opposite, death.
Chapter 6: Misology and Misanthropy Socrates warns against misology (hatred of reason) and misanthropy (hatred of mankind), emphasizing the importance of philosophy.
Chapter 7: Socrates' Last Hours The dialogue recounts Socrates' calm demeanor during his last hours, discussing philosophical matters with his friends.
Chapter 8: The Death of Socrates The dialogue concludes with Socrates drinking the hemlock poison and his serene acceptance of death, providing a powerful example of his teachings.