# Protarchus — Dialogues character guide

> Protarchus in Dialogues by Plato.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Protarchus Socrates

**First appearance:** 0094-philebus

## Snapshot

The young heir who inherits Philebus' argument that pleasure is the good, and must defend it against Socrates' relentless questioning.

## Who they are

Protarchus takes up the case his older companion Philebus abandons, arguing that pleasure is what all living things pursue and the good itself. He is less doctrinaire than his predecessor, willing to follow Socrates into the difficult territory of one and many, and his openness makes genuine inquiry possible. His willingness to concede points without surrendering the thesis keeps the Philebus a conversation rather than a lecture.

## In the story

### [The Myths of Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/the-myths-of-plato)

Protarchus is mentioned in the context of the Philebus dialogue, which discusses pleasure and knowledge.

### [Philebus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/philebus)

Takes over the defense of pleasure from Philebus and engages directly with Socrates' arguments.

### [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis)

Addressed by Socrates in the discussion of pleasure and knowledge.

### [Philebus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/philebus)

Main interlocutor, defends the life of pleasure but engages with Socrates' arguments.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/protarchus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters