Euthyphro
Socrates and Euthyphro discuss the problem of piety or holiness. Is something holy/pious because the gods like it or do they like it because it's holy/pious.

I found this a bit difficult to follow at times, though the essence of the problem and its application to any connection between a deity and morality is clear enough.

The Apology
Socrates's speech in his own defense at his trial. One can see why some of the jury would want to condemn him.

Crito
Crito urges Socrates to escape from prison rather than wait for the death penalty to be carried out but Socrates argues that it would be dishonest to rebel against the laws of Athens now, having accepted and benefited from their rule in the past.

Phaedo
The longest dialogue in the book describes the last hours of Socrates's life. The main topic is the immortality of the soul. I must admit my eyes were glazing over at some points and I found myself skimming rather than really trying to follow the argument. ( )

It takes a little getting used to, but once you do the dialogues are a delight to read. Refreshing as ever and good for your powers of rhetoric. ( )

Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo

Socrates runs afoul of the authorities and others, and expounds upon the situation that he finds himself at the time, and in the process, you see something of the political and legal system at work in the process, and what some of his followers thought about the whole thing.

Really quite readable.

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13726 ( )

Translated by hugh Treddenick & Harold Tarrant