Source edition
Platonis Opera, Tomus II: Tetralogia III-IV. Burnet, John, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1910.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a dialogue that explores the true definition and value of philosophy. Visiting the school of Dionysius, Socrates encounters two rival lovers competing for the attention of a youth, and a discussion ensues between them. While his interlocutor argues that a philosopher should be an all-around intellectual who understands various arts without specializing, Socrates counters that such a figure would be useless in the presence of actual specialists. Ultimately, Socrates demonstrates that true philosophy is not a mere collection of superficial skills, but rather the practice of self-knowledge (sophrosyne) and justice, which enables one to rightly guide souls and govern both households and states.