"Plato was not a Platonist! I would like to show in the following audio that anyone who reads the dialogues of Plato without bias or an ax to grind will find a humorous, witty, pleasant friend and not a desiccated scholarly mandarin. Plato was an open-minded, tolerant, reasonable individual, not a tight-lipped, pietistic puritan. In a word, Plato was an Athenian, not a Spartan!"

In the 24 centuries that have passed since the Athenians put Socrates to death, every generation has interpreted the meaning of Plato's work differently. Joseph Uemura guides us through six dialogues in an effort to promote a dialectical quest rather than seek a final resting place.

Plato's dialogues treat the big questions that confront any thoughtful person. Eythyphro explores religion, Phaedo reflects on the mind, Theatetus examines knowledge, Sophist probes being, Phaedrus reflects on art, and Republic ponders society.

All great literature must be experienced firsthand. Because it is not self-explanatory, it must be interpreted and evaluated. Professor Uemura's reflections serve as a touchstone by which to test every new reading of Plato's work.

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