[NEW COURSE] A central theme of Plato’s philosophy is the conflict between Athenian politics and Socratic philosophizing, culminating in the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BCE Plato defends Socrates in four dialogues. Euthyphro defends Socrates against the sacredness of the family: Apology (defense) of Socrates defends Socrates against charges of impiety and corruption of the young. Crito defends Socrates against the charge of challenging the law. Phaedo defends Socrates against misology (hatred of arguments). These defenses include accounts of Socratic dialectic and Plato’s metaphysics and theory of knowledge. No prior acquaintance with philosophy is needed to take this course. Discussion, Lecture