A Philosophical Solution to the Problem of Socrates

Authors

  • George Rudebusch Northern Arizona University
  • Christopher Turner DePaul University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1981-9471.v8i2p1-39

Keywords:

Socrates, Laches, Ancient Philosophy

Abstract

Socrates’ purposes, in his philosophical conversations with others, remain a puzzle. We review eleven distinct interpretive options, many of which stretch back more than a hundred years, finding all of them untenable.  We then propose an original, twelfth interpretation as the most faithful and charitable alternative.  Our discussion takes as its focus Plato’s dialogue Laches as a representative of the aporetic dialogues.

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Author Biographies

  • George Rudebusch, Northern Arizona University
    Professor of Philosophy
  • Christopher Turner, DePaul University
    Graduate Student in Department of Philosophy

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Published

2014-11-09

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How to Cite

Rudebusch, G., & Turner, C. (2014). A Philosophical Solution to the Problem of Socrates. Journal of Ancient Philosophy, 8(2), 1-39. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1981-9471.v8i2p1-39