Philosophy Audiobooks

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 1...

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.

Economics (Ancient Greek: ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΑ; Latin: OECONOMICA) may not have been written by Aristotle. The author provides examples of methods used by the state to raise money including debt, currency devaluation, commodity controls, tariffs, sales tax, fines, violence and sacrilege. Translated by Edward Seymour Forster. Painting:  Allegory of Fortune by Salvator Rosa. Recording and cover design by Geof...

Euthydemus (ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΣ) and Dionysodorus the sophists discuss the true meaning of words with Socrates in this dialogue written by Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Painting: Perseus and Andromeda by Sir Frederic Leighton. Recording and cover design by Geoffrey Edwards are in the public domain.