By Romano Guardini

The Death of Socrates is an insightful interpretation of the four Platonic dialogues that place Socrates in direct confrontation with human mortality. The Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo each present an element of the Socratic vision of death, of the appearance of life in the face of death, and how death ultimately is to be met. First published in English in 1948, Romano Guardini’s interpretation eschews both theoretical consideration—despite the allure that the idealism of Platonic thought holds for such an endeavor—and synoptic historical analysis and placement of Platonism. Instead, he enters into Plato’s thought, in order to approach and access the truth itself. This method gives pride of place to the texts of the dialogues themselves in all their literary and philosophical wealth.

Poised and precise, The Death of Socrates is an excellent resource for new pupils and seasoned scholars alike of Plato.

History cannot show many such figures, which by their very unrepeatable singularity, lead straight to the essential things; and among them it is perhaps Socrates who possesses in the highest degree this power of touching and moving people. (Romano Guardini)

Romano Guardini (1885–1968) was a Catholic priest, professor, and author, whose intellectual disciples include Josef Pieper, Luigi Giussani, and Joseph Ratzinger. He held professorships of theology and philosophy at the University of Berlin, University of Tübingen, and University of Munich. Many of Guardini’s published works in English are now available from Cluny, including The Humanity of Christ, The Life of Faith, and The Spirit of the Liturgy.

Paperback & E-book: 248pp.

E-book: Immediately following purchase, an .epub file and a .mobi (Kindle) file are available for download.

ISBN: 978-1949899429