Apology/Crito/Phaedo by Plato
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an amazing book of philosophy and trial of Socrates, the man considered to be the Father of World Philosophy. The book is written by Plato, one of the staunch devoted pupil of Socrates and prominent ancient philosopher. The book is nothing but the translation of three of Plato’s works namely, “The Apologia”, “The Crito” and “The Phaedo” all of which have reference to the trial, imprisonment and death of Socrates.
The first part represents the trial of Socrates in the court of law at Athens, where he argues for himself at the age of seventy, on the charges against him, that he did not believe in the Gods recognized by the State and that he had corrupted the Athenian youth by his teachings. Though Socrates gives all reasonable and logical explanations to prove his integrity and innocence, the judges sentence him to 'death by poison', which Socrates obeys, as he was committed to follow the law of the land. In the second part, Plato records the visit of Crito, Simmias, Cebes and Phaedo along with many of friends and pupils of Socrates, in the prison, to offer him a secret escape. But Socrates convinces all of them against such act, as he believes in obeying the diktat of the supreme law governing Athens. The third and the last part records the final day of Socrates in the prison when he teaches the immortality of soul, its pre-existence, its journey and the law of contraries. He comes to a conclusion that death brings about liberation of his good soul to a different world of peace and harmony and hence he welcomes such a separation without any grief or pain. He finally bids farewell to his pupils, friends, family, takes a bath and drinks the poison to lie down and pass on to eternal sleep, which he calls ‘death’ or separation of the immortal soul from the moral body.

Positives: The book gives deep insights into the understanding of wisdom and knowledge, the true identity of a great philosopher. The ideology of Socrates which brings about distinct separation of the immortal soul and mortal body through various logical explanations related to common examples that can be easily understood by a reasonably intelligent person, is well illustrated. One can get the basics of philosophical thinking and start to experience detachment from materialistic things once he finishes reading this book with utmost concentration.

Negatives: Many tough logical reasonings can be above the grasping power of many and consider Socrates philosophy as ‘insane’. Very difficult to understand some parts, if not read with concentration.

My rating is 4 out of 5.


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