The Socratic method of questioning and refutation (elenchus) predominates the early Platonic dialogues. The standard explanation of this phenomenon is that the early dialogues were intended to commemorate Socrates and the elenchus, while in the middle and late dialogues Plato went beyond Socrates to present his own mature philosophical thought.
Gareth B. Matthews was Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, USA. He passed away in 2011.S. Marc Cohen is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Washington, USA.
Chapter 1: The Socratic Method.- Chapter 2: Analyzing Courage: Laches.- Chapter 3: Analyzing Piety: Euthyphro.- Chapter 4: Blameworthy Ignorance: Apology.- Chapter 5: Virtue in Socratic Ignorance: Charmides.- Chapter 6: Latent Knowledge: Meno.- Chapter 7: Forms Left Unanalyzed: Phaedo.- Chapter 8: Downgrading the Elenchus: Republic I-II.- Chapter 9: Farewell to the Elenchus: Theaetetus.- Chapter 10: Philosophy Professionalized: Sophist.- Chapter 11: Conclusion.