CONTENTS.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Grote, George
Frequent cases, in which men pray for supposed benefits, and find that when obtained, they are misfortunes. Every one fancies that he knows what is beneficial: mischiefs of ignorance
14
Mistake in predications about ignorance generally. We must discriminate. Ignorance of what? Ignorance of good, is always mischievous: ignorance of other things, not always
ib.
Wise public counsellors are few. Upon what ground do we call these few wise? Not because they possess merely special arts or accomplishments, but because they know besides, upon what occasions and under what limits each of these accomplishments ought to be used
15
Special accomplishments, without the knowledge of the good or profitable, are oftener hurtful than beneficial
16
It is unsafe for Alkibiades to proceed with his sacrifice, until he has learnt what is the proper language to address to the Gods. He renounces his sacrifice, and throws himself upon the counsel of Sokrates
ib.
Different critical opinions respecting these two dialogues
17
Grounds for disallowing them — less strong against the Second than against the First
18
The supposed grounds for disallowance are in reality only marks of inferiority
ib.
The two dialogues may probably be among Plato’s earlier compositions
20
Analogy with various dialogues in the Xenophontic Memorabilia — Purpose of Sokrates to humble presumptuous young men
21
Fitness of the name and character of Alkibiades for idealising this feature in Sokrates
ib.
Plato’s manner of replying to the accusers of Sokrates. Magical influence ascribed to the conversation of Sokrates
22
The purpose proclaimed by Sokrates in the Apology is followed out in Alkibiades I. Warfare against the false persuasion of knowledge
24
Difficulties multiplied for the purpose of bringing Alkibiades to a conviction of his own ignorance
25
Sokrates furnishes no means of solving these difficulties. He exhorts to Justice and Virtue — but these are acknowledged Incognita
26
Prolixity of Alkibiadês I. — Extreme multiplication of illustrative examples — How explained
ib.
Alkibiadês II. leaves its problem avowedly undetermined
27
Sokrates commends the practice of praying to the Gods for favours undefined — his views about the semi-regular, semi-irregular agency of the Gods — he prays to them for premonitory warnings
28
Comparison of Alkibiadês II. with the Xenophontic Memorabilia, especially the conversation of Sokrates with Euthydemus. Sokrates not always consistent with himself
29
Remarkable doctrine of Alkibiadês II. — that knowledge is not always Good. The knowledge of Good itself is indispensable: without that, the knowledge of other things is more hurtful than beneficial
ib.