Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
In Plato’s Theages, Socrates claims that he is knowledgeable in nothing but that which pertains to eros. Given such knowledge, one can understand why Plato’s Socrates would take great interest in the character of Alcibiades who, according to Socrates, in aspiring to be “the only man ever worth existing", desires such a thing more than any human being has ever desired anything. With this understanding of the character of Alcibiades, along with his presumed knowledge of eros, Socrates approaches the ambitious youth and expresses his desire to “have the greatest power” over him – assuming he can prove his value to the would-be statesman. The intention of this paper is to make an original contribution to the understanding of Plato’s Alcibiades I through a careful reading of the interaction between the two characters informed by the following questions: What does Socrates having the “greatest power” over Alcibiades entail and why does Socrates desire such a thing? To what end is it desirable for Socrates, a philosopher, to prove his value to an aspiring statesman and Alcibiades in particular? Alcibiades I, in addition to highlighting problems and possibilities concomitant with the existence of man, paints a picture of the Socratic education complete with its limitations, requirements, presuppositions, motivations and potential benefits for both student and teacher, and the consequences of its failure. My paper argues that Alcibiades, more than a mere interlocutor, is a pivotal foil to Plato’s Socrates and, by extension, his vision of philosophy and the nature of politics.
Recommended Citation
Gent, Alexander, "279 - The Enlightenment of Passion: The Promises and Limitations of the Socratic Education in Plato's Alcibiades I" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 83.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/83
279 - The Enlightenment of Passion: The Promises and Limitations of the Socratic Education in Plato's Alcibiades I
In Plato’s Theages, Socrates claims that he is knowledgeable in nothing but that which pertains to eros. Given such knowledge, one can understand why Plato’s Socrates would take great interest in the character of Alcibiades who, according to Socrates, in aspiring to be “the only man ever worth existing", desires such a thing more than any human being has ever desired anything. With this understanding of the character of Alcibiades, along with his presumed knowledge of eros, Socrates approaches the ambitious youth and expresses his desire to “have the greatest power” over him – assuming he can prove his value to the would-be statesman. The intention of this paper is to make an original contribution to the understanding of Plato’s Alcibiades I through a careful reading of the interaction between the two characters informed by the following questions: What does Socrates having the “greatest power” over Alcibiades entail and why does Socrates desire such a thing? To what end is it desirable for Socrates, a philosopher, to prove his value to an aspiring statesman and Alcibiades in particular? Alcibiades I, in addition to highlighting problems and possibilities concomitant with the existence of man, paints a picture of the Socratic education complete with its limitations, requirements, presuppositions, motivations and potential benefits for both student and teacher, and the consequences of its failure. My paper argues that Alcibiades, more than a mere interlocutor, is a pivotal foil to Plato’s Socrates and, by extension, his vision of philosophy and the nature of politics.
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