It has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to ...

It has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to Western thought through the centuries.