Summary:
"Socrate" by Antonio Labriola is a scholarly monograph written in the late 19th century. The book provides a comprehensive examination of Socratic philosophy, specifically analyzing Socrates' teachings as interpreted through the lenses of Xenophon, Plato, and Aristotle. It seeks to understand Socrates not just as a philosopher but as a significant figure in the historical and cultural context of ancient Athens, especially considering his trial and execution. The opening of this work introduces the author’s motivations behind writing the monograph, namely to explore the doctrine of Socrates as understood via his contemporaries. Labriola reflects on the historical background of Socrates, including the political and social turmoil in Athens during his life, which culminated in his unjust condemnation. The text describes how Socrates, despite being portrayed as a subversive element by the democratic society that executed him, remained committed to his principles and beliefs, viewing his philosophical inquiries as a divine mission. Through detailed references to historical events, Labriola sets an academic tone and context for a detailed exploration of Socratic thought, emphasizing the interplay between Socratic philosophy and Athenian democracy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)