The First Alcibiades, Know Thyself

Plato's First Alcibiades is sometimes given the subtitle 'On the Nature of Man'

Plato's First Alcibiades is sometimes given the subtitle 'On the Nature of Man': the dialogue between Socrates and Alcibiades centres itself on the Delphi inscription "Know Thyself" – a constantly recurring theme in the writings of Plato. How can we know what kind of life we should lead if we don't know what kind of creature we are; and how can we be happy if we don't know what kind of life will lead us to happiness? So much depends upon an accurate knowledge of the self – our relations with others, with our world, and with our source, our proper development and our happiness – it is no wonder that in ancient times the First Alcibiades was considered the best starting point for the newcomer to the profundities of Platonic philosophy. (Reading: First Alcibiades, 128a-135e)

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