{"product_id":"second-alcibiades-plato-9781806293193","title":"Second Alcibiades: Self-Knowledge and Prayer - Plato's Dialogue on Piety, Deliberation, and the Limits of Political Ambition","description":"What if every prayer was a test of your wisdom?\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSecond Alcibiades\u003c\/em\u003e is a powerful and probing dialogue from Plato that questions the very essence of prayer, morality, and political ambition. In a dramatic conversation with Socrates, the charismatic yet unwise Alcibiades is led to confront his ignorance about what is truly good-and thus, what he should even ask of the gods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis modern translation brings clarity and relevance to Plato's exploration of piety, highlighting how dangerous it can be to desire influence without first achieving self-knowledge. \u003cem\u003eSecond Alcibiades\u003c\/em\u003e is a short but profound entry in the Socratic tradition, revealing how even noble intentions can lead astray when not guided by wisdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You'll Discover in This Modern Translation: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fragility of Political Ambition\u003c\/strong\u003e - Alcibiades' eagerness for glory is shown to be hollow without philosophical insight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Sharp Critique of Prayer\u003c\/strong\u003e - Socrates deconstructs the assumptions behind common religious devotion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Modern, Accessible Translation\u003c\/strong\u003e - Faithful to the spirit of the original while crystal-clear for new readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEssential Themes of Plato's Philosophy\u003c\/strong\u003e - Questions of self-knowledge, virtue, and divine will are brought to life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you're interested in ancient ethics, the limits of ambition, or the nature of piety, this dialogue offers a compact and transformative experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Plato\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1806293196\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781806293193\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Library of Alexandria\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 48\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.12lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.13d","brand":"Plato","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48241940922623,"sku":"9781806293193","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_641033e9-9734-4045-9fdf-61de5dc41370.jpg?v=1772656685","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/second-alcibiades-plato-9781806293193","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}