Step into the streets of ancient Athens where Socrates challenges conventions, questions assumptions, and ultimately faces death rather than abandoning his commitment to philosophical truth. These four interconnected dialogues—Euthyphro, Apology, Symposium, and Phaedo—chronicle Socrates’ final days while introducing readers to fundamental questions about justice, piety, knowledge, and the soul that remain startlingly relevant today.

At the heart of these dialogues lies the Socratic method—a way of questioning that exposes contradictions, uncovers hidden premises, and drives toward deeper understanding. Through conversations with accusers, friends, and students, Socrates demonstrates philosophy not as abstract theory but as a lived practice, one that demands we examine our most cherished beliefs. As readers witness Socrates facing his own mortality with remarkable equanimity, they encounter a mind that refuses to sacrifice intellectual integrity even to save his life.

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein’s commentary illuminates these texts with fresh insights, historical context, and personal reflection, making them accessible to newcomers while offering thoughtful re-readers new perspectives. The dramatic narrative arc—from Socrates awaiting trial to his final moments—creates a philosophical journey that transforms not just how we think, but how we understand what matters most in a human life.