We will read a number of dialogues by Plato, the subtlest, most comprehensive and most insightful philosopher our world has ever produced. Like Greek tragedies, Plato’s dialogues typically portray a small number of characters in complex dramatic situations in tense conversation about controversial topics; unlike Greek tragedies, though, the controversies are typically about complex and subtle conceptual matters. Our goal will be to read these ancient texts well, which will require that we attend with equal care to the complexities of the dramatic situations portrayed in the dialogues and to the interpretation of the metaphysical, epistemological and existential themes discussed by the characters of the dialogues.