We shall read together in class, over three terms, two of Plato's finest mature works, the "Philebus" on the nature and value of pleasure, and the "Protagoras" on the character of goodness. These are two of Plato's most enjoyable and lively dialogues, with spirited interchanges between the self-effacing but gently ironic Socrates and his fascinating and realistically portrayed interlocuters. (For Plato presents his ideas in the form of dramatic interchanges between characters.) You will need the Penguin translations by Adam Beresford (Protagoras) and Robin Waterfield (Philebus). We will also read "Euthydemus" (in Benjamin Jowett's translation) on the use of language to manipulate the other person (in a spin-doctor sort of way). I shall provide a running philosophical commentary, and facilitate discussion. It is not for nothing that the history of western philosophy has been called a series of footnotes to Plato.