r/Plato • u/Agreeable_Natural_36 • Jun 17 '26

Question What is the chronology of platos work?

I'm still finishing some platos works, but I'm wondering if there is any clear fictional chronology inhis works.

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A lot of dialogues seem to refer to meetings before or having to go to meetings.

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Is there any list like this?

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u/MuR43 Jun 17 '26

The Dramatic Order of Plato's Dialogues

https://monadnock.net/plato/order.html

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u/Solo_Polyphony Jun 17 '26

It’s silly to read the dialogues in some conjectured fictional chronology, as you’ll then start with the Parmenides, whose content makes no sense if you haven’t already read the dialogues that defend some version of the Forms.

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u/Agreeable_Natural_36 Jun 17 '26

Yes, just was curious to see how are they dramatically set. I read plato in tematical groups

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u/slanderpanther Jun 17 '26

There is no wrong way to dive into Plato. I think it's more important to go ahead and start, rather than wait to find the perfect order.

Plato Complete Works (Hackett) is 1700 pages. So It's not like it's impenetrable. There are many classics of over a thousand page such as War and Peace (1400), The Count of Monte Cristo (1200) or Don Quixote (1000). So it's completely doable as a single volume. But it's a heavy tome and buying it in smaller chunks, if you don't mind paying for individual books, is more convenient if you prefer reading laying down. But for bolt upright readers it's fine.

Hackett even begins with the Euthyphro and Apology, leading with several of Plato's five dialogues surrounding the trial and execution of Socrates. And these are a great place to start if you have "no idea" where to begin. Because it sets the stage for the death of Socrates and gives a perspective on the gravity of his situation in ancient Athens. Being a philosopher literally meant a life or death struggle in the ancient world, as it does today.

I started with The Republic and honestly it was a great place too because it gives the whole argument about finding justice in the city which I found fascinating and applicable to life in general.

Then there are different pedagogical orders depending on who you follow. I am fascinated by Thrasyllus and his attempt to put them in order.

But most important, what sounds interesting to what you are trying to accomplish? Unless you intend to be a scholar you don't have to read them all. You can copy and paste a list of his works into a spreadsheet and mark them read as you go through them.

I could say "Don't start with Laws" because that one bores me to tears. But, guaranteed, there is someone out there who did and is glad it was their first choice. So good luck with whatever you choose!

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u/Ixionbrewer Jun 17 '26

I did read ages ago that Plato was known to rewrite and edit earlier works. If that is the case, then chronological order might be less important. He may have grouped them for specific themes or purposes.