Date of Award
5-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
David Leibowitz
Second Advisor
Pamela Jensen
Abstract
The Charmides is a dialogue in which the question “What is moderation?” is addressed by Socrates and two future tyrants: the beautiful young Charmides, and his cousin and guardian, Critias. Besides being an investigation of moderation, the Charmides also treats thematically the subject of Socrates' strange way of life; in particular, his characteristic examinations of others, and his association with beautiful boys of whom Charmides is himself one. By having Socrates converse with two tyrants-to-be about moderation, Plato means to show us something about the political importance of moderation, and the way in which immoderation might lead to tyranny. Simultaneously, Plato shows us how moderation is important to Socrates' own, philosophic way of life. Thus we have a juxtaposition of the political and philosophic lives, with the ultimate result that moderation, properly understood, directs one away from the former and toward the latter.
Recommended Citation
Helfer, Ariel, "Moderation and Socratic Examination: An Interpretation of Plato's Charmides" (2008). Honors Theses. 124.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/honorstheses/124
Rights Statement
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