
Alcibiades I
'Alcibiades I' Summary
In the preface Alcibiades is described as an ambitious young man who is eager to enter public life. He is extremely proud of his good looks, noble birth, many friends, possessions and his connection to Pericles, the leader of the Athenian state. Alcibiades has many admirers and had many lovers but they have all run away, afraid of his coldness. Socrates was the first of his lovers but he has not spoken to him for many years. Now the older man tries to help the youth with his questions before Alcibiades presents himself in front of the Athenian assembly. For the rest of the dialogue Socrates explains the many reasons why Alcibiades needs him. By the end of Alcibiades I, the youth is much persuaded by Socrates' reasoning, and accepts him as his mentor.
The first topic they enter is the essence of politics – war and peace. Socrates claims that people should fight on just grounds, but he doubts that Alcibiades has any knowledge about justice. Prodded by Socrates’ questioning, Alcibiades admits that he has never learned the nature of justice from a master nor has discovered it by himself.
Alcibiades suggests that politics is not about justice but expediency and the two principles could be opposed. Socrates persuades him that he is mistaken, and there is no expediency without justice. The humiliated youth concedes that he knows nothing about politics.
Later Alcibiades says that he is not concerned about his ignorance because all the other Athenian politicians are ignorant. Socrates reminds him that his true rivals are the kings of Sparta and Persia. He delivers a long lecture about the careful education, glorious might and unparalleled richness of these foreign rulers. Alcibiades gets cold feet which was exactly the purpose of Socrates’ speech.
After this interlude the dialogue proceeds with further questioning about the rules of society. Socrates points to the many contradictions in Alcibiades’ thoughts. Later they agree that man has to follow the advice of the famous Delphic phrase: gnōthi seautón meaning know thyself. They discuss that the "ruling principle" of man is not the body but the soul. Somebody's true lover loves his soul, while the lover of the body flies as soon as the youth fades. With this Socrates proves that he is the only true lover of Alcibiades. "From this day forward, I must and will follow you as you have followed me; I will be the disciple, and you shall be my master", proclaims the youth. Together they will work on to improve Alcibiades' character because only the virtuous has the right to govern. Tyrannical power should not be the aim of individuals but people accept to be commanded by a superior.
In the last sentence Socrates expresses his hope that Alcibiades will persist, but he has fears because the power of the state "may be too much" for both of them.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
Authors

Plato (Πλάτων)
Greece
Plato ( Classical Attic; 428/427 or 424/423 – 348/347 BC)) was an Athenian philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece, founder of the Platonist school of thought and the Academy,...
Books by Plato (Πλάτων)Download eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

History of the United States, Vol. V by Charles A. Beard
Charles Beard was the most influential American historian of the early 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive s...

Curiosities of Street Literature by Various
This collection offers a glimpse into the 18th and 19th century London through the lens of broadsides, short publications that served as a form of ear...

In the Days of Queen Elizabeth by Eva March Tappan
This book delves into the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, exploring her political maneuvering, cultural impact, and personal challenge...

I, Mary MacLane by Mary MacLane
Mary MacLane lived a tortured life, ahead of her time. Her beloved father died when she was a young child, and at the age of 8, her stepfather moved t...

Caroline the Illustrious, Vol. 2 by William Henry Wilkins
This second volume of William Henry Wilkins' biography of Queen Caroline delves into the complexities of her life as Queen Consort and Regent of Georg...

Handbook of Home Rule: Being Articles on the Irish Question by John Morley
The Handbook of Home Rule is a collection of essays written in 1887 that discuss the issue of Irish home rule. Home rule was a political movement that...

Demos: A Story of English Socialism by George Gissing
Demos is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that delves into the complexities of socialism, wealth, and personal transformation. Richard Mu...

Mussolini as Revealed in His Political Speeches (November 1914 - August 1923) by Benito Mussolini
This collection of speeches by Benito Mussolini, the leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy, provides insights into his political thought and t...

ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis by Ugo Foscolo
Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis è un romanzo epistolare di Ugo Foscolo, pubblicato nel 1799. La storia racconta la tragica storia di Jacopo Ortis, u...

Selected Essays by Voltairine de Cleyre
Voltairine de Cleyre (1866–1912) was, according to Emma Goldman, "the most gifted and brilliant anarchist woman America ever produced." Today she is n...
Reviews for Alcibiades I
No reviews posted or approved, yet...