{"product_id":"socrates-on-trial-clarendon-paperbacks-clear-commentary-on-platos","title":"Socrates On Trial Clarendon Paperbacks - Clear Commentary on Plato's","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Socrates On Trial (Clarendon Paperbacks) the bottom line is straightforward: this is a careful, scholarly commentary for readers who want to take Plato's Apology seriously as a sincere defence rather than a dramatic irony. Brickhouse and Smith offer an exhaustive, line by line interpretation that argues Socrates aimed to inform and persuade the jury by adhering to his moral and religious principles. The book suits readers seeking a historically grounded, philosophical reading rather than quick summaries or popular treatments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClose textual commentary:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors provide line-by-line analysis of Plato's Apology, clarifying how each claim can be read as a sincere attempt to persuade the jury.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical interpretation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book situates Socrates in his political and social context, helping readers grasp why his principles shaped a cautious defense strategy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosophical argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brickhouse and Smith defend the thesis that Socrates' moral and religious commitments constrain him from risking a negative vote, offering substantive ethical reasoning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExhaustive scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e The commentary covers specific claims and rhetoric throughout the Apology, making it useful for close-study or classroom use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e The writing assumes familiarity with Platonic dialogues and philosophical methods, which aids rigorous readers seeking depth over overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for undergraduate and graduate students of philosophy, classicists, and readers who want a rigorous, historically informed reading of Plato's Apology. In particular, those interested in Socratic ethics and ancient legal practice will find the authors' insistence on sincerity persuasive and illuminating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders who prefer a general introduction, a brief survey, or a highly accessible popular account should look elsewhere; the tone and detail here are scholarly and assume some prior familiarity with philosophical argument and Platonic texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThorough commentary that makes a clear case for interpreting Socrates as sincerely defending himself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong integration of moral and religious considerations into the trial narrative, improving historical plausibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful for classroom discussion and close textual study of the Apology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe scholarly tone and exhaustive detail may be dense for casual readers or those new to Plato.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSocrates On Trial (Clarendon Paperbacks)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrickhouse and Smith\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary text examined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlato's Apology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical and philosophical commentary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain thesis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlato's Socrates offers a sincere defence\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and scholars of philosophy and classics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSocrates On Trial is a valuable, well-argued commentary for readers wanting a sustained, historically sensitive reading of the Apology. Its thoroughness and emphasis on sincerity make it good value for students and scholars who will use its close readings in coursework or research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book treat Plato's Apology as literal history?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt treats the Apology as a philosophically and historically informed text, arguing for a sincere defence rather than treating it primarily as dramatic artifice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge of Plato required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with Plato and basic philosophical methods is helpful; the commentary presumes readers can follow sustained argument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The close commentary and clear thesis make it useful for seminars on Socrates, ethics, or ancient philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thomas C. Brickhouse","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48197465374939,"sku":"0198239386","price":63.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51IyyyahFOL._SL1360.jpg?v=1769610932","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/socrates-on-trial-clarendon-paperbacks-clear-commentary-on-platos","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}