Philosophy Audiobooks
Unabridged philosophy audiobooks including writing by Plato (Parmenides), Aristotle (Economics) and Cicero (On Moral Duties). Topics discussed include ethics, justice, law, logic, metaphysics, God, happiness, love and beauty. Each book has been streamlined by merging separate LibriVox recordings into a single seamless whole with no interruptions. Painting: La Perle et la vague by Paul-Jacques-Aimé Baudry.
Latest episodes
Nov 7, 2015 • 1h 20min
Hippias Major by Plato
Hippias Major (ΙΠΠΙΑΣ ΜΕΙΖΩΝ) may not have been written by Plato. The dialogue discusses what true beauty is and includes a maiden, gold and a porridge spoon as possible instances. Translated by George Burges. Painting: The Eternal Feminine (L'Éternel Féminin) c.1877 by Paul Cézanne.
Nov 3, 2015 • 42min
Second Alcibiades (or On Praying) by Plato
Second Alcibiades (ΑΛΚΙΒΙΑΔΗΣ Β) is also known as On Prayer. It is not certain whether Plato was the author. The text discusses prayer and concludes that it is best not to ask for specific things from God. Translated by George Burges. Illumination: Cutting from an Antiphonal c. 1465 attributed to Bartolomeo Rigossi da Gallarate.
Apr 2, 2015 • 2h 34min
Philebus by Plato
Philebus (ΦΙΛΗΒΟΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses topics including pleasure, wisdom, the soul and God. The indulgent life of an oyster is contrasted with the thoughtful life of a philosopher. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Photograph: Mariana by Henry Peach Robinson.
Apr 2, 2015 • 6h 15min
On Duties - De Officiis by Cicero
Book II 2:35:05 Book III 4:10:00 On Duties (Latin: DE OFFICIIS) discusses virtue, expediency and apparent conflicts between the two. St. Ambrose, St. Jerome and other Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church considered it to be legitimate for study. Anthony Grafton says that it was the second book after the Bible printed on Gutenberg's press. It was a standard text taught at Eton College. Translated by Walter Miller. Painting: Phryne Revealed Before the Areopagus by Jean-Léon Gérôme.
Mar 3, 2015 • 56min
Lysis by Plato
Lysis (ΛΥΣΙΣ) discusses friendship and love between the good and bad. Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen named his villa on the Italian island of Capri after this Socratic dialogue. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Illumination: Denise Poncher before a Vision of Death by Master of the Chronique scandaleuse c.1500.
Mar 3, 2015 • 8h 1min
On the Ends of Good and Evil by Cicero
Book II 1:11:11 Book III 3:23:06 Book IV 4:44:32 Book V 6:11:11 On the Ends of Good and Evil (Latin: DE FINIBUS BONORUM ET MALORUM) discusses Skeptic, Epicurean, Stoic, Peripatetic and Academic views on the good life. Written by Marcus Tullius Cicero. Translated by Harris Rackham. Painting: A Young Girl Defending Herself against Eros by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Feb 1, 2015 • 1h 4min
Charmides by Plato
Charmides (ΧΑΡΜΙΔΗΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses the virtues of temperance, modesty and self control. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: The Daughter of the Painter by Charles Joshua Chaplin.
Feb 1, 2015 • 1h 2min
Laches by Plato
Laches (ΛΑΧΗΣ) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato which discusses examples of courage including weapons masters, soldiers who stand firm in battle, ferocious animals and the wise person who endures evils. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: The Sacrifice of Polyxena by Giovanni Battista Pittoni.
Feb 1, 2015 • 41min
Menexenus by Plato
Menexenus (ΜΕΝΕΞΕΝΟΣ) is thought to have been written by Plato (ΠΛΑΤΩΝ). The dialogue consists of Socrates (ΣΩΚΡΑΤΗΣ) recounting a funeral oration he claims to have learned from the female philosopher Aspasia (ΑΣΠΑΣΙΑ) who may have been wealthy, a courtesan or both. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Illumination: Saint Hedwig of Silesia with Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg and Duchess Agnes c. 1353 by an Unknown maker.
Jan 26, 2015 • 39min
Eryxias by Plato
Eryxias (ΕΡΥΞΙΑΣ) is a Socratic dialogue which may not have been written by Plato (ΠΛΑΤΩΝ). The dialogue discusses whether wealth has value and what the aim of philosophy should be. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Portrait of Maria Frederike van Reede-Athlone at Seven Years of Age by Jean-Étienne Liotard. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.
