Plato's Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo

These four dialogues present the trial, imprisonment, and execution of Socrtates, who Phaedo said was ?the wisest, best, and most righteous person I have ever known.?

In the Euthyphro, Socrates approaches the court where he will be tried on charges of atheism and corrupting the young. On the way he meets Euthyphro, an expert on religions matters. Socrates questions Euthyphro?s claim that ethics should be based on religion.

In the Apology, Socrates presents his own defense. He explains why he has devoted his life to challenging the most powerful and important people.

Socrates fails in his attempt to avoid the death sentence, but his friend Crito offers him a way to escape. He tries to persuade Socrates that it is right to flee from Athens. Socrates responds by focusing on the essence of law and community.

The Phaedo presents Socrates? final dialog. What will happen to him after he drinks the poison? He tries to show his friends that the death of the body does not result in killing the soul.