Library of liberal arts,

The Oration on the Dignity of Man (De hominis dignitate) is a famous public discourse pronounced in 1486 by Pico della Mirandola, an Italian scholar and philosopher of the Renaissance. It has been called the "Manifesto of the Renaissance". Pico's Oration attempted to remap the human landscape to center all attention on human capacity and human perspective. The Oration also served as an introduction to Pico's 900 theses, which he believed to provide a complete and sufficient basis for the discovery of all knowledge, and hence a model for mankind's ascent of the chain of being. - Wikipedia

Plato's "Euthyphro," "Apology," and "Crito" explore Socrates's trial and death, with "Euthyphro" focusing on piety, "Apology" presenting his defense against charges of impiety band corruption, and "Crito" addressing Socrates's refusal to escape prison, emphasizing his commitment to justice and Athenian law. Here's a more detailed breakdown of each dialogue: Euthyphro: Socrates encounters Euthyphro, who is on his way to court to prosecute his father, and Socrates questions him about the nature of piety and justice. Euthyphro initially struggles to define piety, and Socrates probes him, ultimately exposing the shortcomings of his various definitions. The dialogue raises questions about whether actions are good because the gods love them or if the gods love them because they are inherently good (the Euthyphro Dilemma). Apology: Socrates delivers his defense before his Athenian judges, who have charged him with impiety and corrupting the youth. He argues that he has not engaged in wrongdoing and that his philosophical questioning and pursuit of truth are for the benefit of society. The dialogue highlights Socrates's commitment to truth and his refusal to compromise his beliefs, even in the face of potential death. Crito: Socrates, awaiting execution in prison, is visited by his friend Crito, who offers him an opportunity to escape. Socrates refuses the offer, arguing that he cannot disobey the laws of the city that have given him so much. He argues that the state, through its laws, has a legitimate authority, and that citizens have a moral duty to obey them. This dialogue emphasizes the importance of justice, obedience to law, and the Socratic commitment to living according to his principles, even in the face of death. Plato's Euthyrphro, Apology, and Crito portray Socrates' words and deeds during his trial for disbelieving in the Gods of Athens and corrupting the Athenian youth, and constitute a defense of the man Socrates and of his way of life, the philosophic life.

The Bhagavad Gita, more than any other book, has influenced the lives of generations of people in India. It has been a standard text on Hinduism for centuries. However, the Bhagavad Gita is not only a religious-historical work, but also a great book of literature. It has appealed to scholars in terms of its literary style and philosophical content, while to the layperson it has offered basic principles on how to live a meaningful life. Malhotra's innovative translation is meant for all those students and general readers who are curious about issues pertaining to the existential predicament of humankind. He presents these enduring themes in a language that will be easily understandable to the newly initiated. Indeed, Malhotra offers a "transcreation" rather than a translation, in which he does not translate every word and phrase but instead captures the essential ideas and meanings that are crucial to overall understanding of this great text.