Perspective

Three major perspectives pervade Four Texts on Socrates. The first is that of the compiler and writer of the introduction, Thomas G. West. West wants to use the example of Socrates to inspire Western people to believe that achieving knowledge of the truth is possible; he wants his reader to regain faith in the ability of reason to teach one about reality. This perspective is brief, however. The major perspectives are those of Plato and Aristophanes, and they could not be more distinct. Plato believes that Socrates is one of history's great heroes and that he died a martyr to the philosophical pursuit of the truth. He constantly portrays Socrates as upright, virtuous and intent of the noble pursuit of the truth; he sees Socrates' going to his death as one of the noblest things one could do, not to mention the virtue required to have the courage...