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Second Alcibiades: Self-Knowledge and Prayer - Plato's Dialogue on Piety, Deliberation, and the Limits of Political Ambition
Paperback
Series: Library of Alexandria, Book 381
ISBN13: 9781806293193
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Published: Jul 1 2025
Pages: 48
Weight: 0.12
Height: 0.13 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
Second Alcibiades is a powerful and probing dialogue from Plato that questions the very essence of prayer, morality, and political ambition. In a dramatic conversation with Socrates, the charismatic yet unwise Alcibiades is led to confront his ignorance about what is truly good-and thus, what he should even ask of the gods.
This modern translation brings clarity and relevance to Plato's exploration of piety, highlighting how dangerous it can be to desire influence without first achieving self-knowledge. Second Alcibiades is a short but profound entry in the Socratic tradition, revealing how even noble intentions can lead astray when not guided by wisdom.
What You'll Discover in This Modern Translation:
- The Fragility of Political Ambition - Alcibiades' eagerness for glory is shown to be hollow without philosophical insight.
- A Sharp Critique of Prayer - Socrates deconstructs the assumptions behind common religious devotion.
- A Modern, Accessible Translation - Faithful to the spirit of the original while crystal-clear for new readers.
- Essential Themes of Plato's Philosophy - Questions of self-knowledge, virtue, and divine will are brought to life.
Whether you're interested in ancient ethics, the limits of ambition, or the nature of piety, this dialogue offers a compact and transformative experience.
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