Alcibiades II

Alcibiades is on his way to pray to Zeus when Socrates stops him with a disturbing possibility: what if the gods grant exactly what he asks—and it ruins him?

In ancient Athens, the ambitious Alcibiades expects prayer to bring him closer to the life he wants. Socrates instead points to Oedipus, whose prayer called down calamity, and asks whether anyone can know what is truly good without first knowing what to ask for. Their brisk exchange turns a simple act of worship into a test of judgment, exposing how easily confidence can conceal ignorance. Before Alcibiades speaks to the gods, can Socrates make him question his own desires?

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