Socratic Philosophy for Beginners? On Introducing Philosophy with Plato's Lysis

In recent years, Plato's Lysis has received much attention from professional scholars, but could it be used as a text in introductory classes? It is true that the Lysis poses challenges as an introductory text its arguments are fast-paced and abstract. But I argue that the Lysis is actually an excellent pedagogical text, well suited to engage novices and introduce them to philosophy's distinctive methods and way of thinking. It works particularly well as a text for engaging students in active learning, insofar as it opens up a space for improvisation and exploration, providing tools for the readers and inviting them to take an active role in constructing their own understandings.