Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Plato's Apology, also called the Trial of Socrates, is one of the most famous works of philosophy in the world and has been for many hundreds of years for good reason. In this episode of the Great Books Explored podcast, Christian Poole takes you through the setup for Socrates' trial in Athens, 399 BC, the background history leading up to this moment, and the lives of Socrates and Plato. In it you learn why Socrates was brought to trial, who is accusers are, the social and political landscape that may have encouraged the trial, and what big questions to ask when reading the book.
This episode is a pre-released video version of an audio podcast.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
The ThinkingWest: Great Books Explored podcast revives the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through exploring the great books of the western world. We dive deep into the most influential books of all time, read short essays and letters from the greatest thinkers, and discuss timeless ideas that continue to shape our culture today.
ABOUT THINKINGWEST
ThinkingWest aims to revive the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through promoting the study of the great books of the western world, classical approaches to education, and through thoughtful commentary on current events, history, philosophy, culture, education, and religion.
We strive first and foremost to spark an appreciation for the values that built the West. Our content strives for depth and meaning in an era plagued by six second attention spans and clickbait headlines. We challenge ourselves and our readers to read, reflect, and speak out on ideas that matter. Join us in “thinking west” again.
LINKS
Website: thinkingwest.com
Donate to support this work: thinkingwest.com/donate
Read Plato's Apology free: gutenberg.org/ebooks/1656
List of the Great Books of the Western World: thinkingwest.com/encyclopedia-britannicas-great-books-of-the-western-world
#greatbooks #plato #socrates #philosophy #podcast
Plato's Apology, also called the Trial of Socrates, is one of the most famous works of philosophy in the world and has been for many hundreds of years for good reason. In this episode of the Great Books Explored podcast, Christian Poole takes you through the setup for Socrates' trial in Athens, 399 BC, the background history leading up to this moment, and the lives of Socrates and Plato. In it you learn why Socrates was brought to trial, who is accusers are, the social and political landscape that may have encouraged the trial, and what big questions to ask when reading the book.
This episode is a pre-released video version of an audio podcast.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
The ThinkingWest: Great Books Explored podcast revives the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through exploring the great books of the western world. We dive deep into the most influential books of all time, read short essays and letters from the greatest thinkers, and discuss timeless ideas that continue to shape our culture today.
ABOUT THINKINGWEST
ThinkingWest aims to revive the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through promoting the study of the great books of the western world, classical approaches to education, and through thoughtful commentary on current events, history, philosophy, culture, education, and religion.
We strive first and foremost to spark an appreciation for the values that built the West. Our content strives for depth and meaning in an era plagued by six second attention spans and clickbait headlines. We challenge ourselves and our readers to read, reflect, and speak out on ideas that matter. Join us in “thinking west” again.
LINKS
Website: thinkingwest.com
Donate to support this work: thinkingwest.com/donate
Read Plato's Apology free: gutenberg.org/ebooks/1656
List of the Great Books of the Western World: thinkingwest.com/encyclopedia-britannicas-great-books-of-the-western-world
#greatbooks #plato #socrates #philosophy #podcast
