Between Socrates and the Many: A Study of Platos Crito

(Hardback)

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Between Socrates and the Many: A Study of Platos Crito is foremost concerned with Platos character, Crito. By focusing on its namesake, Hoffpauir draws attention to aspects of the Crito that may otherwise go unnoticed or underrated: justice, as most know it, seems unjust, and justice, as Socrates knows it, seems impossible; love of ones own, as most know it, limits ones own good and the citys good; and concern for the body and hatred of suffering undermine virtue. Through a consideration of the problems evinced by Critoproblems not peculiar to him or to his Athensreaders may gain a newfound appreciation of why Socrates arguments about living well fail. More importantly, by considering why Socrates must advance these arguments in the first place, readers may come to appreciate the strength of mans natural resistance to that which is necessary for civilized life. Although Crito initially comes to sight as in-between Socrates and the many, as one who shares in the opinions of both, in the end, Crito reveals that all that is in-between Socrates and the many is an unbridgeable chasm.

Reviews

J. Michael Hoffpauir's wonderful study is a painstaking, deeply thoughtful attempt to understand Plato's complex presentation of Crito, the long-time friend of Socrates who was present with the philosopher in his final days. Combining an unusual sensitivity to the details of the text with a humane understanding of the broader questions of life and death, duty and obligation, Between Socrates and Many will become a crucial contribution to the literature on the Crito and on Plato." -- Robert C. Bartlett, Boston College
This welcome commentary on Platos Crito makes the fresh and radical move of taking Crito seriously. Hoffpauirs sensitive analysis of Critos character has the unsettling effect of showing readers just how similar they are to the dialogues namesake, who admires Socrates yet clings to non-philosophic opinions about the nature of justice and the fearsomeness of death. Crito is unhappily betwixt and between. Hoffpauir explores this ground (or rather this chasm) in Between Socrates and Many. His clear explication of the conversations many lines of argument reveals what is at stake for all concerned. -- Diana J. Schaub, Loyola University Maryland

Author Bio

J. Michael Hoffpauir is associate director of the Lyceum Program and clinical assistant professor of political science at Clemson University.