by Minute Major

Created on: June 15, 2010   Last Updated: June 16, 2010

Perhaps the best pieces of literature regarding ethical philosophy come from the great philosopher, Plato. "The dialogues of Plato" are literary works in which Socrates is starred as a teacher of ethics and morality. Socrates was a well known philosopher and teacher of Plato, inspiring Plato to live a life of philosophical practice. The dialogues of Plato, written after the death of Socrates, serve to carry on the valuable lessons of Socrates and give the gift of purity to the people.

The first dialogue, "The Apology", takes place in a courtroom, where Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth and failing to recognize the gods of Athens. during the trial, Socrates makes the argument that his sole purpose in society was founded on a prophecy made by the oracle at Delphi. Socrates’ demonstrates that he not only recognizes the gods of Athens but that his whole life has been dedicated to the will of the Athenian gods, mainly Apollo. Socrates’ also defends the charge of corrupting the young by providing an analogy that horses are positively influenced by only one man, the horse trainer, not an entire village of people. Socrates was merely providing the truth about himself and the charges against him in the trial with the hopes that the jury would be just. His argument was not based around the sole purpose of gaining freedom, but rather to inform the jury of his role in the village. Throughout the trial he maintains a level of integrity and dignity with the ideas that justice must always prevail. He serves as a martyr to his cause as he is sentenced to execution and dies with no regrets, only wishing to spread the idea of justice and morality.

Another powerful dialogue is "Crito", in which a friend of Socrates goes to the imprisoned Socrates to free him. Socrates lectures Crito on the importance of obeying the laws, even when they are unjust. He teaches that the laws are a representation of the states definition of justice and must be obeyed by citizens. Crito, Socrates' friend, argues that a terrible injustice has occurred and that Socrates should break free to balance out the injustice. Crito’s argument carries with it the moral assumption that injustice may be countered with injustice, while Socrates’ believes that despite an unjust occurrence, one is not permitted to act unjustly but must rather live his life with absolute morality, despite unjust misfortunes. Socrates’ philosophy is based on the belief that a single person must act justly all the time, regardless of others actions. Therefore, it can consistently claim that he has been wronged by the people of Athens and yet feel as if disobeying Athens would harm his moral character.

Other dialogues in "Plato's Dialogues" go on to support Socrates' philosophy of living a pure live of moral perfection. The assumed biography of this great philosophers life is a great tool for self improvement and greatly captures the heart of ethical philosophy.

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