Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume 4

In this clear‑spoken guide listeners are invited into the opening scene of Plato’s longest dialogue, where a summer gathering in the shade of the Piraeus gives way to a lively debate among Socrates, Polemarchus, Glaucon, Adeimantus and the sharp‑tongued Thrasymachus. The conversation begins with an elderly guest, Kephalos, who reflects on age, wealth and the fear of unfinished debts, setting a tone that blends personal experience with the search for a universal definition of justice.

From that entry point the discussion quickly spirals into a sweeping exploration of human nature, the distinction between true knowledge and opinion, and the blueprint of an ideal city ruled by philosophy. Listeners will hear how Plato links a just soul to lasting happiness, sketches an educational program for future guardians, and even hints at the soul’s existence beyond this life—all while keeping the focus on the fundamental question: does a just life make a person happier?