Product Description
Plato stands as the fount of our philosophical tradition, being the first Western thinker to produce a body of writing that touches upon a wide range of topics still discussed by philosophers today.In a sense he invented philosophy as a distinct subject, for although many of these topics were discussed by his intellectual predecessors and contemporaries, he was the first to bring them together by giving them a unitary treatment. This volume contains fourteen new essays discussing Plato's views about knowledge, reality, mathematics, politics, ethics, love, poetry, and religion. There are also analyses of the intellectual and social background of his thought, the development of his philosophy throughout his career, the range of alternative approaches to his work, and the stylometry of his writing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Very Good
This is a very good overview of Plato's philosophy. I would recommend this volume for those that want to learn of his philosophy without reading that acual works.

(no title)
I cannot recommend this volume highly enough. It's a collection of essays, all (bar one) especially written for this volume, each of them authored by a leading scholar on the respective dialogue or topic. Especially the pieces by Frede and Fine constitute path-breaking, durable contributions to Plato scholarship; each of them would merit the purchase by itself. Between them, Frede and Fine also introduce the reader to two rather different approaches to interpreting Plato, and at once present these approaches at their very best.

Some essays are naturally harder than others, ranging from the instantly accessible to the rather technical. This is as it should be: a reader's companion to Plato's dialogues which themselves vary from the easy to the 'forbidding'. And a book that won't become redundant as your own competence with the dialogues grows (who ever said it won't?).

To conclude: these pieces range from the good to the outstanding, none of them is harder than it should be, and they display considerable diversity in methodology.

PS People interested in the 'non-doctrinal' approach to reading Plato may profitably consult Ferrari's piece at http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2000/2000-11-10.html, and the "Introduction" (pt.III-IV) in John Cooper, "Plato: Complete Works" (Hackett 1997).

Your time and money are better spent elsewhere
Plato is perhaps the most approachable of the major philosophers. His work is largely presented in short dialogues. Their brevity allow them to be read in a single sitting, and their characterizations, humor, and stories engage even the reader new to philosophy.

Given this, it may surprise those unfamiliar with Plato to learn that the interpretation of him has always been the subject of hot dispute - perhaps only Nietzsche among philosophers has inspired more controversy.

Why is this? Why is Plato so easy to read and yet so difficult?

Five problems are worth calling out:

(1) Dramatic presentation: All of Plato's published works are presented as dialogues between characters - Plato himself is never a character. Thus, any interpretation must have some mapping (implicit or explicit) between the characters' views and Plato's views, as well as how the dramatic structure (setting, characters, story) as a whole presents Plato's views.

(2) Irony: The main speaker in most of Plato's dialogues is Socrates, a character who often speaks ironically. Other characters can be read as sometimes being ironical as well (such as The Athenian in the dialogue "Laws"). Any interpretation must determine when a character is speaking ironically and when seriously.

(3) Stories/Myths: Characters in Plato's dialogues often tell stories whose subject matter is mythological - they concern Gods and Goddesses, the afterlife,and other subject matter beyond ordinary human experience. Any interpretation that deals with them must determine how they are to be read.

(4) The Platonic Lie: In "The Republic", Plato endorses (or seems to endorse) lying as a means of instilling beneficial beliefs in audiences that are unable to acquire philosophical knowledge. A beneficial belief is one that is not true in its substance, but which, if believed, will tend to the same end as would the corresponding knowledge. If we accept that this is Plato's view, then interpretations must consider whether views expressed in the dialogues are themselves Platonic Lies, and not real representations of Plato's thought.

(5) Historical Background: Plato lived in a time and place different from our own, whose language, customs, intellectual background, and attitudes are not ours. This is a much bigger problem than just unfamiliar names - it is the unconscious attitudes we absorb from our culture (and he from his) of which we are not necessarily even consciously aware. Different interpreters do not read these influences the same way (there is no book we can all go to called "How We Thought About Things", authored by "The Ancient Greeks").

With regard to these issues, the dominant view in "A Cambridge Companion to Plato" is something I would call Platonic Fundamentalism: "Socrates says what Plato means, and he means what he says" (this is after the Christian Fundamentalist credo: "The Bible says what it means and it means what it says").

A difficulty with this view is that it leaves Plato contradicting himself an awful lot. The general solution presented here is the evolving-Plato theory - that the dialogues were written over a long period of time and that the contradictions represent real changes in Plato's views. The collection thus abounds in references to Plato's "early dialogues" or "middle dialogues" or "late dialogues".

Now, there are certainly Plato scholars, past and present, who do not accept this particular interpretive framework, but their views, if raised at all,are raised only so that they may be dismissed (sometimes in the same sentence). Those looking for substantial engagement on the problems of Platonic interpretation must look elsewhere.

So, given that the book does not aim to present the scholarly debate on interpreting Plato, it is fair to ask: what does it aim to do? This is an excellent question, but I could not find the answer to it in the book itself.

If it were for the beginning reader, I would think it would focus on the order of reading, and on prepping the reader with background info for each dialogue so as to make reading it more rewarding. But it doesn't do anything like that.

If it were for the intermediate reader, I would think it would focus on illuminating doubtful passages or drawing connecting webs across disparate ones. But it doesn't do that either.

If it were for the advanced reader, I would think it would focus on the debates in the secondary literature, and that it would be used by peers to address peers on controversies. But it doesn't do that either.

So, when it comes to the ultimate question of whether I should recommend the book or not, I just can't think of anyone to whom I would recommend it.

Finally, to take another tack at how worthwhile a book is: the basic challenge any work of secondary literature must face is whether it is more profitable to read it, or to give the primary literature another reading instead.

The only work in the collection that I would say clearly passes that test is Constance Meinwald's essay on "Parmenides" (for those who don't know, "Parmenides" is by far the most formidable work in the Platonic corpus - the first half works to demolish the theory of Forms that we might otherwise hold to be Plato's view, and the second half defies the ability of most readers to make any sense of at all). Even here, however, if you want to read Meinwald's theories on "Parmenides" (and they are worth reading), you would do better to get her book "Plato's Parmenides" than to read the essay excerpted from that book included here.

A Very Good Introduction to Plato
The Cambridge Companion to Plato is an extrememly good primer of Plato's philosophy. The book begins with a complete overview of Plato's philosophy and how it progressed through time. This overview is particularly helpful for those who have never studied Plato before and essential for those who use this book, as I did, as their first exposure to the study of philosophy.

Like all books in the Cambridge series, the Companion to Plato consists of a number of essays written by preminent scholars. These essays explain and evaluate various aspects of Plato's philosophy, from "the defense of justice in Plato's Republic" to "mathematical method and philosophical truth."

Like any philosophy textbook, The Cambridge Companion to Plato can, at times, be dense. I won't recommend it for everbody; a hearty interest in learning philosophy is definately required. However, I've found it to be one of the finest introductions to Plato in his philosophy. It provides a good foundation for actual reading of Plato's texts, which is the next logical step beyond this book. It is also perfect for those who wish to gain a working understanding of Plato's view of the world but, like me, simply do not have the patience to garner it from Plato's own work.

A comprehensive introduction to Plato
This collection of essays written by a host of outstanding scholars of ancient philosophy in this generation may well serve as a comprehensive and dense guideline to the philosophy of Plato and the contemporary viewpointsconcerning the arguments presented by Plato. I am especially impressed bythe excellent introduction written by the editor of this book, RichardKraut. It is so well-organized, sharply presented and teemed with usefulmaterials that I find it to be the best short introduction on Plato I everread. And the structure of the whole book is also well balanced that theessays of which it is composed nearly touch every controverisal problemsconcerning Plato's philosophy and that those problems are all more or lesstreated in a appreciable way. ... Read more

Product Description
A new translation in the Focus Philosophical Library series, with notes and introduction material, glossary and apppendix. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Appendices alone are worth the money
In addition to a serviceable translation of Plato's Timaeus, this edition also contains a series of appendices concerning the musical, astronomical, and geometrical background to the dialogue. Much of the cosmology in the dialogue deals with perplexing numerical ratios and descriptions of geometrical solids constructed from various plane figures. The appendices provide short yet detailed explanations of the mathematical and other problems involved. If it is not already clear that the 9:8, 5:4, and other ratios explain Pythagorean problems in tuning string instruments, or if you just can't quite visualize or construct the various solids built of the different kinds of triangles, then buy this book for the appendices. It's worth it.

Plato's Cosmogony Adorned with the Beauty of Rhetoric
In Plato's Timaeus the reader will encounter the divine philosopher's cosmogony, dealing with the creation of the universe and the formation of the human species.Timaeus of Locri, the Pythagorean, takes the lead role in the dialogue.It may be declared that the Timaeus is a philosophical discourse that ascends to a level of intellectual sublimity and aesthetic beauty that has seldom been attained in the pages of western philosophy; and its impact was such that it inspired a whole line of platonic-minded men throughout antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.Even today, the Timaeus has not lost its philosophical appeal.Now the basic elements of Timaeus' dissertation deal with the creation of the universe, the immortal gods, mortal man, animate, and inanimate entities: and out of this immerges Plato's famed Theory of Forms, his conception of the Demiurge and World Soul, along with implications pointing to the doctrines of Anamnesis and the Transmigration of Souls.Overall the Timaeus, like the Republic, is required reading for students of Plato and those interested in the western philosophical tradtion.

Plato's Timaeus by Peter Kalkavage
Plato's Timaeus by Peter Kalkavage includes the Kalkavage translation of the Dialogue and two supporting sections, the introduction and the glossary, that are integral to the richness of the book. The Dialogue portion is beautifully translated and very readable. The introduction provides a fascinating treatise for the person wanting to understand the Timaeus as well as how Platonic dialogues generally might be approached. The glossary is not simply a list of terms and definitions, but offers an explanation of the concepts embedded in the language of the Dialogue. Peter Kalkavage's Timaeus is not just for scholars. It offers insight for all those interested in Greek philosophy, Platonic dialogues and in particular, Plato's view of the creation of the cosmos and man's place within it.

Immensely useful
The Timaeus is doubtless one of the most difficult of Plato's dialogues for modern student to unravel, in part because of the vital role played by mathematics in Timaeus' narrative. Kalkavage's appendices provide clear introductions to these aspects of the argument, which supersede Cornford on some points. The translation is very literal, and if that's your thing, quite impeccable. Kalkavage in his Introduction expresses intellectual debts to Jacob Klein, Richard Kennington, and Stanley Rosen; this is a most interesting pedigree, especially as one assumes that the absence of the obvious "fourth" must be intentional.

I should remark, in reference to the review below, that the Timaeus presupposes some familiarity with Plato's philosophy; those just embarking on this study would be best advised to begin with the Alcibiades or the Meno.

Am I on dope or what??
This is presented in dialogue style with an introduction by the
author.Both were a waste of time, at least for me, so that
if you intended to transmit some sort of knowledge or learning
it certainly was not done by this book.

Just from looking at it, I was sure it would have some piece
of meat that would make my life easier, but alas, I became
bogged down trying to determine what was being said, was it true,
or was someone pulling my leg.If this is the source of the
story of Atlantis, I sure would not be looking for that place
based upon this writing.

I did not like it, mainly because it did not transmit any
type of knowledge or learning for me.Maybe I'm stupid, but then
...well.....maybe. ... Read more

Product Description
This series aims to bring together important recent writing in major areas of philosophical inquiry, selected from a variety of sources. The editor of each volume contributes an introductory essay on the items chosen and on the questions with which they deal. A selective bibliography is appended as a guide to further reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Adult learners of ancient Greek are often attracted to it by the prospect of being able to read in the original a particular author or genre such as Homer or Greek tragedy. But it is perhaps Greek philosophical writing and Plato in particular that is the commonest target. This book's material has been tried and tested over a number of years with adult classes, and can be used as a text book on courses leading to that goal, or as a handbook for self-teaching.

Each of 25 sections is clearly laid out with tabulation of Greek accidence (word-forms), then of syntax (grammar and sentence-structure). Each includes ample exercises and practice in reading Greek sentences. Readings in later sections consist of passages of continuous Greek from Plato's Meno. In this typical Platonic dramatic dialogue, one that is often used to introduce students to Socratic dialectic, Socrates leads Meno, a Thessalian aristocrat who visited Athens at the very end of the fifth century BC , in an exploration of the question of whether arete (virtue) is something that can be taught. By the end of the course the conscientious user will have read the first half of the dialogue and should, with the help of an annotated edition (Sharples' 2004 edn is recommended), be able to complete the Meno and move on to more ambitious reading such as the Republic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Get this book!
Beetham is brilliant! He really knows how to get you to read Greek.Ordinarily, I'd say that Plato is a bit ambitious for the beginning student, but Beetham makes it more than manageable.Every step along the way (really, every step) he stops to give you practice.The learning vocabulary (and Platonic idioms) are used over and over again in the exercises, and the the readings from Plato themselves are accompanied by very fulsome notes. Critical for the student learning on his or her own, there is a *complete* answer key.Also, for someone who's learned Greek once upon a time and is looking for a means to recover it, there couldn't possibly be a better book.

The typesetting is not the best (a very small complaint given just how good this textbook is!), though it is worlds better than his Beginning Greek With Homer (also a very good book, BTW!).Since the paradigms in the back of the book are quite spread out, you might also want to get Greek Paradigm Handbook, for handy reference. An English translation of Plato's Meno will come in handy about a third of the way through the book, as well. The author suggests either Sharples's Plato: Meno (Aris & Phillips Classical Texts) or W. R. M. Lamb's Plato: Laches, Protagoras, Meno, Euthydemus, (Loeb Classical Library, No. 165) (Greek and English Edition).

user friendly book that makes Plato a little easier
Plato's Greek is tough but wonderful.Beetham gives you lots of support in getting to the point where you can read the Meno.His explanations are simple and his is one of the few Greek text books which includes an answer key.His font is large.One of the better Greek text books for beginners.The combination of Plato being difficult and Beetham being easy is very helpful if you want to improve your Greek .

Greek language and culture
This book is a gem! Besides the language, the author teaches Greek culture and philosophy. It's a modern book, well-paced, serious but not stern, honest and easy to follow. Very good exercises and answers are provided.
After all, in the end you'll be reading Plato, and this alone surpasses any other book on the subject! ... Read more

Product Description
Designed to introduce students to the academic discipline of Communication, this text describes the scope and methods of communication studies, and sketches its history from the work of the early sophists to contemporary research efforts. Boxing Plato's Shadow helps explain why, despite its long and venerable history of scholarly endeavor, Communication continues to struggle for recognition of its legitimate place in the academy. Throughout, the authors emphasize the field's durability over more than two millennia and the merits of multiple systematic approaches to the study of communication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An introduction to the study of Human Communication
It was not the right addition of the book that was pictured and ordered. She would not offer a return. I would not recommend this buyer.

Great seller!
Fast shipping, great price, book in described condition. Easy to work with, and would work with this seller again.

Rhetoric "On the Ropes"?
Dues and Brown are "spot on" in this survey of the history and importance of rhetorical theory, conceptually. However, in a book that is only eighty-seven pages long, such a "survey" can be "a motorcycle ride though an art gallery", in practice. The treatments of the subjects that are addressed in this "little book" came close to being so "Harley-ed", at times.

That being said, I believe that there is much to recommend this book, especially for readers who are looking for a book that will give a good "thumbnail sketch" of important issues in and for the study of rhetoric. For example, I was particularly impressed by the authors' constructive analysis and application of the "Neo-Aristotelian" school of rhetorical analysis, a treatment that has not been common in the field of rhetoric since 1965, when a "double whammy" by Black's book and the outbreak of a "Young Turk/Old Buffalo" academic blood feud led to the great diminishment and disparagement of this type (and, for a time, of practically any other type) of rhetorical analysis. In addition, the authors' accessible (but not simplistic) writing style and use of narrative made the book a very pleasant "read".

My suggestions for the next addition fo this book (and I do hope that there will be a next edition)can be encompassed by one word: more.

The first three chapters, which are devoted, in effect, to "everything you ever wanted to know about the history of rhetoric but were afraid to ask" need to be at least twice as long as they currently are in order to provide at least a bit more of a complete and coherent analysis of the people,ideas, and events that are being discussed. Much the same assessment can be made of the fourth chapter, which deals with the application of the theories and methodologies of the social sciences to the study of human communication.

However, it is the fifth chapter, which deals with "enduring issues" and "enduring value" in the field of communication study, that most needs "beefing up". While I believe that the issues that are being advanced are important ones I question whether a "general reader" could make meaningful sense of the authors' analyses as they are currently being presented. I believe that this observation has particular force where the nature and impacts of Plato's "dark shadow" are discussed.

This is a good book, as it is. "Fleshed out", this book could be a very good book.

Good Overview
As a teacher and student of Philosophy and Communication, I can say that Dues and Brown really capture the historical roots of the Communication discipline in a volume thinner than my little finger. This is an excellent resource for all Communication scholars, and a great book to use in a survey course. D&B capture the essential elements of history and philosophy in a way that no one else could! ... Read more

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We are still working on filling in the product descriptions. If you need more information please call or email us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great philosophy book and perfect for a christian teaching
This book combines philosophy and christianity perfectly.I higly reccommend it as a teaching tool or enjoyment reading.

Excellent philosophy primer and intro to Socrates!
Kreeft's book is an excellent philosophy primer that anyone can enjoy, easily read, and benefit from.As a huge fan of Socrates, I was enthralled with the use of Plato's "Apology", the "Euthyphro", and the "Phaedo" as a teaching tools that will captivate your imagination and search your soul.You can really feel Socrates probing you, making you ask questions of and about yourself, profound questions, that everyone needs to confront and be confronted by.Everyone should apply the Socratic Method to their own life...it will change it forever!

This book is an easy read and you should purchase a copy, take it with you everywhere, and read every chance you get.When you finish, READ IT AGAIN!!!Let Socrates teach you that what you think you know, you really don't know.The unexamined life is truly not worth living.Let Socrates examine you and then you too will live life more fully...by asking good questions about everything.Take nothing for granted or on surface value; probe, probe, probe!

This book would be a great tool for informal chats re philosophy, psychology, religion, or even just for fun.I highly recommend it...no matter your chosen faith or the lack thereof.But get ready to be challenged!

Yes, Buy It and Read It Passionately
Peter Kreeft transmits his passion for wisdom, for philosophy, in this small book by focusing on the personification of philosophy: Socrates. Kreeft shows us how the pursuit of wisdom will lead to respectful confrontation with those who do not know but think they know. The Socratic method of respectful cross-examination is at the core of exposing the fallacies of those, as someone once said, who are always certain but seldom right. Kreeft also presents the parallels between Socrates and Jesus. You will enjoy and be inspired by this celebration of the passionate pursuit of philosophy.

Socrates from a Christian prospective
Peter Kreeft introduces Philosophy by introducing us to the father of philosophy, Socrates. He uses the Apology of Socrates to give 40 descriptions of philosophy. He shows the paradox of philosophy with such terms as foolish, simplistic and conformist. Throughout the book, Kreeft's Christian perspective comes through with comparisons of Socrates and Christ, which I think give the book a unique niche but I sure will offend some.

Introducing philosophy
Peter Kreeft has taught philosophy for over forty years. He is also a Christian. So what does philosophy have to do with Christianity? Or as Tertullian put it long ago, what does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?

Well quite a bit really, according to Kreeft. For example, both are, or should be, concerned with truth, or the discovery of truth. Both are concerned about going beyond appearances and getting at reality.

Thus Kreeft thinks philosophy, properly understood and practiced, can be a real aid to the believer. This book is an introductory primer to philosophy, or more specifically, to doing philosophy. Kreeft thinks that Plato/Socrates may have been our greatest philosopher, and his works make for an excellent entry point to philosophy. (Kreeft side-steps the historical debate over Socrates, and for his/our purposes, we will simply speak of Socrates.)

Three dialogues that exemplify Socrates' method and manner are here focused on: the Apology of Socrates, the Euthyphro, and the Phaedo. Kreeft enjoys using these dialogues as they do not just talk about philosophy but they actually show us philosophy in action.

The Apology is the main text focused on. In it Kreeft tells us forty different things about philosophy and the philosophical method. As we all know, philosophy is the love of wisdom. It differs from mere knowledge, and God is its source. While God has wisdom, man pursues it. In this Socrates and biblical religion are on common ground.

Moreover, the quest of philosophy is not for truth as found in the physical sciences, but moral and eternal truths, as found in religion. Moral questions, like "What is justice?" cannot be answered by the physical sciences.

Also, belief in God and the really important things in life goes hand in hand with humility. Socrates stressed this, as do many of the great religions. Skepticism about God tends to correlate with pride, while true wisdom recognizes its limits, and is open to truth outside its limited perceptions.

And Socrates, like Jesus, was a real counter-culturalist. Indeed, both men were hated by many because of their challenges to the status quo. Indeed, both were ultimately put to death.

Of course in all this Kreeft does not equate the two great men. Socrates could only claim to be a seeker after truth, while Jesus claimed to be the truth.

A key issue raised in the Euthyphro is the connection between God and goodness. Can we be good without God? The two options presented are, 1) that God chooses what is good (Euthyphro's position), and 2) that God is subject to what is good (Socrates' position). Of course Christians tend to say that this is a false dilemma, and argue for a third position, that God's goodness is coterminous with his nature. Position one seems to make God arbitrary, and position two seems to make goodness greater than God. But the third option fully equates goodness with God. What God commands is good because it is in accord with his own good nature.

The last work examined, the Phaedo, is the story of the death of Socrates. It is also the argument of Socrates for why life extends beyond the grave, for why the soul is immortal.

The "gadfly of Athens" was put to death for his search for truth. Of course Jesus was put to death for his proclamation of truth. To refer to the earlier discussion about historicity, Kreeft reminds us that while Christianity cannot survive without Christ, philosophy can survive without an historical Socrates. Even if he is just the creation of Plato's pen, his timeless truths live on.

It was Alfred North Whitehead who once said that the European philosophical tradition "consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." No one can improve upon the greatness of Plato/Socrates. His greatness and wisdom live on. Thus there is so much we can learn from Socrates, so much we are indebted to.

He is not the equivalent of Christ, but he bears many similarities, as Kreeft points out throughout this book. And there are real shortcomings to Socrates. His insistence on the importance of the soul was as valuable as his denial of the importance of the body was flawed.

Believers need not be ashamed of nor afraid of philosophy. In its proper form, it leads us to truth. And in the Christian tradition, God is truth. Of course in a fallen world, extrnal revelation is needed to supplement internal inquiry.

But is it possible that God can use pre-Christians like Socrates to teach us much about life and even Himself? Kreeft thinks so, and this book goes a long way in showing Christians how to appreciate the beauties of philosophy. Of course in other books in this series, Kreeft shows the dark side of reckless philosophy (as in his discussions about Sartre and Marx). But here we learn of the good purposes which philosophy can serve.
... Read more

Product Description

Esteemed for providing the best available translations, Philosophic Classics: From Plato to Derrida, features complete works or complete sections of the most important works by the major thinkers, as well as shorter samples from transitional thinkers.

First published in 1961, Forrest E. Baird's revision of Philosophic Classics, Pearson Education's long-standing anthology (available in split volumes), continues the tradition of providing generations of students with high quality course material. Using the complete works, or where appropriate, complete sections of works, this anthology allows philosophers to speak directly to students.  

For more information on the period volumes that are available please see below:

Philosophicl Classics, Volume I: Ancient Philosophy, 6/E  ISBN-10: 0205783856

Philosophicl Classics, Volume II: Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, 6/E  ISBN-10: 0205783902

Philosophic Classics, Volume III: Modern Philosophy, 6/E  ISBN-10: 0205783899

Customer Reviews (4)

Philosophic Classics
There is a huge range of authors in this book, and it includes most of the main ideas from each original passage. It can be sort of hard to follow at times, however, as it leaves out giant parts of arguments, especially in The Republic. This really breaks down the flow of the piece and renders it much more confusing than the original book.

Philosophic Classics from Plato to Derida
Another master piece for your books shelf. This work is more in depth and delves into snippets of the various authors' works. We are assigned this book in a class for MTh. An excellent resource, a book shelf keeper.

Who thought philosophy would be fun??
Great study of major philosophies that have impacted our western culture.Very enjoyable and easy reading, yet stimulating and intellectual...Loved the book!

Excellent Introduction to Philosophy Text
If you teach Introduction to Philosophy using a historical approach, this is the text I recommend. I used "The Philosophic Classics 2nd edition, From Plato to Nietzsche" for my classes and was looking for a textwith the same basic works with some more contemporary materials. I find theupdated 3rd edition, "From Plato to Derrida" the perfectsolution. Instead of having to look through more textbooks for the rightstuff, this is it. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the latest and most authoritative edition of the Republic available, this careful translation provides the groundwork by which students can come to their own understanding of this seminal work of Western thought, as is appropriate for courses in core curriculum which emphasize students dealing directly with Great Books.Other useful features include a chapter-by-chapter outline of principal speakers and summary of the content, Stephanus numbers, boldface type to indicate the entrance of a new speaker into the discussion, footnotes, and glossary of key terms with cross references for the text ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent book condition
The book was in excellent condition as described. Received the item within the time frame promised. Would buy again from this seller.

Plato Republic (Joe Sachs)
This version (Joe Sachs) is quite informative and easy to follow in means of understanding in more simpler terms. I would highly recommend this towards any interested reader from any statue in regards to the focus of Plato.

Reason allows us to live for something
I read Joe Sachs' translation of Plato's Republic for a graduate philosophy class.I paid close attention to Plato's thesis of courage in his Republic, which I expound below.I found Sachs' translation to be one of the best of several I read.

Plato's project in the Republic is to form the "perfect" society."Reason allows us to live for something."Through reason we set goals and organize our lives around achieving goals.Plato argues that the government's duty to citizens is to provide justice, and educate citizens both men and women.The state's social structure stood for justice and was divided into three groups.Rulers- those trained to use reason and posses wisdom.Guardians/ Soldiers have courage/spirit.Artisans have moderation of appetites.Plato's ideal ruler, the "Philosopher King," should be 50 years old with 15 years of government experience and should have studied science and philosophy.The ruler must show a mastery of Arete = excellence vs. akrasia= weakening of will, or no self-control.The ruler should think logically not emotionally.In the Republic to insure excellent people Plato advocated selective breeding of excellent unmarried people who lived in communes, who did not own property.

Plato describes five types of government in the Republic:

1. Aristocracy- Plato considered this the best form of government; aristocracy embodies wisdom of the philosopher king.
2. Timocracy- military government embodies virtues of honor and courage.
3. Oligarchy- rule by a rich elite, their vice is greed, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
4. Democracy- mob rule, and chaos, it represents akrasia people are slaves of their desires and have little self-control.
5. Tyranny- this is the worst form of government.The vice is selfishness, one power crazed person in control.

Plato's purpose in the Republic is not to perfect the character of people as an end but only as a means to an end.Plato's aim has a definite effect on his definition of courage.I find this is especially the case when exploring his ideas on how to educate the Guardians of the city to act courageously.Plato's goal is to match a person's character disposition to a job they are naturally inclined to perform in the city.Once he [Plato] has introduced the city in 369 b-d, he immediately advances the thesis, which is to dominate the rest of the Republic, that the needs of its inhabitants can best be met if each person in it performs that single task, and that single task alone, for which he is naturally suited.

With this view of human nature in mind, in Plato's model society, he divides the citizens into three classes.Rulers from whom the "philosopher king," will be selected, Guardians who are soldiers to protect the state, and the rest of the citizens classified as ArtisansThis division of citizens precipitates a discussion by Plato on the four virtues that these citizens will bring to the state.In the history of philosophy this becomes known as the "four cardinal virtues"; wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice.With this introduction of courage as a virtue, Plato takes another crack at defining courage.What is also important to observe is that he introduces a new element, that of education, in his definition of courage that was absent from his early dialogue Laches.

Plato espouses the idea in the Republic that the Guardians need to possess certain natural qualities; such as strength, speed, and courage.It seems odd that Plato classifies courage as a natural quality possessed by certain people.This automatically presupposes that not all people can practice the virtue of courage.Plato's successor Aristotle, will argue against this notion in his EN.In addition, Plato argues that in order for people to be courageous they must also have an aggressive thumos [passion], which makes both people and animals fearless and determined.Plato fears that the Guardians could be susceptible to using their passion of aggressiveness against there own people.Therefore, he counsels that the Guardians who naturally possess aggressiveness have to also naturally possess the opposite characteristic of gentleness as well, so that their aggressiveness will only be used against the enemy and not their own citizenry.

This dialogue is significant in that it helps to flesh out Plato's notion of what ultimately makes a person courageous.First, Plato argues that the goal of education, which he compares to a sheepdog, is to watch over the Guardians; thus, with the proper education he believes the proper balance between exciting their aggressiveness and subduing it in the Guardians can be achieved.Second, Plato believes that if aggressiveness is properly excited by physical training, then the Guardian will be courageous.If overly excited they will be like a wild beast devoid of grace and will become ignorant.Finally, Plato argues in his education section of the Republic, that to counter the possibility of a Guardian developing an over excited passion of aggressiveness, it is necessary to teach the Guardians literature and music during the same time they undergo physical training.

Thus, Plato hopes this balanced approach to educating the Guardians will then lead to courage being a controlled and calm act of endurance in battle, instead of a foolhardy lust for blood letting and an emotional reaction to war.Not only does Plato spend a significant amount of time advocating for the tools necessary to subdue the passions of the Guardians in book three of the Republic, but another important point in Plato's philosophy to consider is that since he believes that a Guardian's aggressiveness is influenced by literature he is very concerned by what type of literature is taught to them as well.Plato is very concerned that the archetypical heroic warrior Achilles, as depicted in Homer's epic poem the Iliad along with those depicted in Greek tragedies performed on stage, are bad examples for the Guardians to emulate.Consequently, Plato advises that heroes of Greek literature should be depicted as thoughtfully courageous and in control of their anger and physically resilient warriors.Thus, Plato seems to be using the term andreia [courage] to cover (at the least) both courage proper, which can only exist in some kind of unity with the other virtues, and raw mettle or aggressiveness, which can exist in conjunction with various vices.Plato in book four of the Republic does move on from his study of thumos as the prime motivating force to act courageously, to actually defining the virtue of courage.Plato defines courage as a person's ability to subdue their aggressiveness by the orders of their reason in regards to what they should be fearful of regardless of their own feelings of pain or pleasure.Plato's expounded definition of the virtue of courage is that a courageous act is an amalgamation of a person's natural passion of aggressiveness and properly educated rational beliefs over what is worthy regarding the possibility of losing their life or limb over.

Reason allows us to live for something
I read Joe Sachs' translation of Plato's Republic for a graduate philosophy class.I paid close attention to Plato's thesis of courage in his Republic, which I expound below.I found Sachs' translation to be one of the best of several I read.

Plato's project in the Republic is to form the "perfect" society."Reason allows us to live for something."Through reason we set goals and organize our lives around achieving goals.Plato argues that the government's duty to citizens is to provide justice, and educate citizens both men and women.The state's social structure stood for justice and was divided into three groups.Rulers- those trained to use reason and posses wisdom.Guardians/ Soldiers have courage/spirit.Artisans have moderation of appetites.Plato's ideal ruler, the "Philosopher King," should be 50 years old with 15 years of government experience and should have studied science and philosophy.The ruler must show a mastery of Arete = excellence vs. akrasia= weakening of will, or no self-control.The ruler should think logically not emotionally.In the Republic to insure excellent people Plato advocated selective breeding of excellent unmarried people who lived in communes, who did not own property.

Plato describes five types of government in the Republic:

1. Aristocracy- Plato considered this the best form of government; aristocracy embodies wisdom of the philosopher king.
2. Timocracy- military government embodies virtues of honor and courage.
3. Oligarchy- rule by a rich elite, their vice is greed, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
4. Democracy- mob rule, and chaos, it represents akrasia people are slaves of their desires and have little self-control.
5. Tyranny- this is the worst form of government.The vice is selfishness, one power crazed person in control.

Plato's purpose in the Republic is not to perfect the character of people as an end but only as a means to an end.Plato's aim has a definite effect on his definition of courage.I find this is especially the case when exploring his ideas on how to educate the Guardians of the city to act courageously.Plato's goal is to match a person's character disposition to a job they are naturally inclined to perform in the city.Once he [Plato] has introduced the city in 369 b-d, he immediately advances the thesis, which is to dominate the rest of the Republic, that the needs of its inhabitants can best be met if each person in it performs that single task, and that single task alone, for which he is naturally suited.

With this view of human nature in mind, in Plato's model society, he divides the citizens into three classes.Rulers from whom the "philosopher king," will be selected, Guardians who are soldiers to protect the state, and the rest of the citizens classified as ArtisansThis division of citizens precipitates a discussion by Plato on the four virtues that these citizens will bring to the state.In the history of philosophy this becomes known as the "four cardinal virtues"; wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice.With this introduction of courage as a virtue, Plato takes another crack at defining courage.What is also important to observe is that he introduces a new element, that of education, in his definition of courage that was absent from his early dialogue Laches.

Plato espouses the idea in the Republic that the Guardians need to possess certain natural qualities; such as strength, speed, and courage.It seems odd that Plato classifies courage as a natural quality possessed by certain people.This automatically presupposes that not all people can practice the virtue of courage.Plato's successor Aristotle, will argue against this notion in his EN.In addition, Plato argues that in order for people to be courageous they must also have an aggressive thumos [passion], which makes both people and animals fearless and determined.Plato fears that the Guardians could be susceptible to using their passion of aggressiveness against there own people.Therefore, he counsels that the Guardians who naturally possess aggressiveness have to also naturally possess the opposite characteristic of gentleness as well, so that their aggressiveness will only be used against the enemy and not their own citizenry.

This dialogue is significant in that it helps to flesh out Plato's notion of what ultimately makes a person courageous.First, Plato argues that the goal of education, which he compares to a sheepdog, is to watch over the Guardians; thus, with the proper education he believes the proper balance between exciting their aggressiveness and subduing it in the Guardians can be achieved.Second, Plato believes that if aggressiveness is properly excited by physical training, then the Guardian will be courageous.If overly excited they will be like a wild beast devoid of grace and will become ignorant.Finally, Plato argues in his education section of the Republic, that to counter the possibility of a Guardian developing an over excited passion of aggressiveness, it is necessary to teach the Guardians literature and music during the same time they undergo physical training.

Thus, Plato hopes this balanced approach to educating the Guardians will then lead to courage being a controlled and calm act of endurance in battle, instead of a foolhardy lust for blood letting and an emotional reaction to war.Not only does Plato spend a significant amount of time advocating for the tools necessary to subdue the passions of the Guardians in book three of the Republic, but another important point in Plato's philosophy to consider is that since he believes that a Guardian's aggressiveness is influenced by literature he is very concerned by what type of literature is taught to them as well.Plato is very concerned that the archetypical heroic warrior Achilles, as depicted in Homer's epic poem the Iliad along with those depicted in Greek tragedies performed on stage, are bad examples for the Guardians to emulate.Consequently, Plato advises that heroes of Greek literature should be depicted as thoughtfully courageous and in control of their anger and physically resilient warriors.Thus, Plato seems to be using the term andreia [courage] to cover (at the least) both courage proper, which can only exist in some kind of unity with the other virtues, and raw mettle or aggressiveness, which can exist in conjunction with various vices.Plato in book four of the Republic does move on from his study of thumos as the prime motivating force to act courageously, to actually defining the virtue of courage.Plato defines courage as a person's ability to subdue their aggressiveness by the orders of their reason in regards to what they should be fearful of regardless of their own feelings of pain or pleasure.Plato's expounded definition of the virtue of courage is that a courageous act is an amalgamation of a person's natural passion of aggressiveness and properly educated rational beliefs over what is worthy regarding the possibility of losing their life or limb over.

Wonderful Translation
My professor switched from Allan Bloom to Joe Sachs. The format makes the text accessible and the translation is as fluid as any I've read. ... Read more

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Drew A. Hyland, one of Continental philosophy's keenest interpreters of Plato, takes up the question of beauty in three Platonic dialogues, the Hippias Major, Symposium, and Phaedrus. What Plato meant by beauty is not easily characterized, and Hyland's close readings show that Plato ultimately gives up on the possibility of a definition. Plato's failure, however, tells us something important about beauty--that it cannot be reduced to logos. Exploring questions surrounding love, memory, and ideal form, Hyland draws out the connections between beauty, the possibility of philosophy, and philosophical living. This new reading of Plato provides a serious investigation into the meaning of beauty and places it at the very heart of philosophy. ... Read more

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(Par., Phil., Symp., Phdr.; Alc. I, II, Hipp., Am.) Edited by J. Burnet. ... Read more

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Set immediately prior to the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BC, Theaetetus shows the great philosopher considering the nature of knowledge itself, in a debate with the geometrician Theodorus and his young follower Theaetetus. Their dialogue covers many questions, such as: is knowledge purely subjective, composed of the ever-changing flow of impressions we receive from the outside world? Is it better thought of as true belief'? Or is it, as many modern philosophers argue, justified true belief', in which the belief is supported by argument or evidence? With skill and eloquence, Socrates guides the debate, drawing out the implications of these theories and subjecting them to merciless and mesmerising criticism. One of the founding works of epistemology, this profound discussion of the problem of knowledge continues to intrigue and inspire. ... Read more

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Founding Epistemology
Plato's Theatetus is considered the originary work of epistemological inquiry. Wittgenstein looked to this dialogue as a major source for epistemological problematics in his later philosophy, and it continues to be studied in the continental tradition as well. Socrates and Theatetus attempt to resolve the problem of defining knowledge-first by examining knowledge as a a mode of perception, then through in investigation of knowledge as correct judgment. Socrates and Theatetus give an account of the true role of 'legein' logos and speech in the final sections of the dialogue. Although nothing is resolved the basic problems of epistemology are formulated, and they remain alive to the present day.

An Early Study of Epistemology
What is knowledge?That is the issue taken up in "Theaetetus", this dialogue from ancient Greece which is one of the seminal investigations of epistemology, the study of knowledge.In the dialogue, Socrates, Theodorus, and Theaetetus examine whether everyone's individual perceptions can be regarded as knowledge, or if knowledge must consist of either a true belief or a true belief plus a rational account.

The interlocutors do not reach a definitive conclusion concerning what knowledge is, but the dialogue is still well worth reading in the English-speaking world in the early twenty-first century, a place and time in which it is hotly debated whether truth and knowledge are absolute or relative.The final half of this volume is an interpretive essay by Robin Waterfield that discusses the dialogue and its implications, in many places comparing "Theaetetus" with other Platonic works. ... Read more

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Plato : Parmenides, written by legendary author Plato is widely considered to be one of the greatest classic and historical texts of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, Plato : Parmenides is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Plato is highly recommended. Published by Classic Books International and beautifully produced, Plato : Parmenides would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library. ... Read more

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In this new edition, two of Plato’s most accessible dialogues explore the question of what exactly makes good people good. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Pleasantly surprised

When I saw that I had been assigned Plato I have to confess I worried if the book might be a bit too dry and heavy for my tastes. I was therefore pleasantly surprised at the accessible, readable and indeed rather enjoyable nature of Protagoras and Meno.

The two dialogues are concerned with the nature of being 'good'. A central theme is the question of whether virtue (or 'being good') is something that can be taught. In both dialogues the central figure is Socrates. He is engaged in debates with the two eponymous figures Protagoras and Meno.

Protagoras is the most famous sophist in Greece but Socrates is sceptical as to what a sophist can achieve. Protagoras believes that the job of a sophist is to teach people how to be good. Socrates then sets out to show that virtue cannot be taught. This dialogue ends rather unsatisfactorily. Socrates cuts short the debate as both speakers had become confused -- arguing the opposite of what they originally intended.

The thoughts developed by Socrates in Protagoras are rounded off in Meno. Here, Socrates concludes that virtue is not teachable. This is because so many great sophists are unable to teach their own sons how to be good. As virtue is not teachable, nor can it be a form of wisdom.

Instead, Socrates contends that virtue comes when people are "inspired" -- it is "a gift of god". Earlier on, Socrates had brilliantly demonstrated that knowledge can be innate by leading one of Meno's slaves through a geometric puzzle without teaching anything.

As an economics graduate, I particularly appreciated the sections of the dialogues where Socrates contended that people do not set out to do bad things. It is easy to see how this Benthamite argument influenced J. S. Mill.

All-in-all I found this a very interesting book. It is a remarkably breezy read for a text that was originally written in Greek around 2,400 years ago. Full credit must be given to the translation which helps make Plato an absolute pleasure to read.

Read It and Loved It
I read this while taking Plato, though it also came up in Aristotle. (For obvious reasons...)

I liked it, mostly because it was clear, where other translations use old-fashioned or out-of-date language to try and pretend Plato is more complex than he really is. Don't get me wrong, Plato is certainly interesting to read, as is this book, but sometimes people get caught up in the history and ignore the philosophy.

As a side note, I wanted to learn more about the translator, and found out he actually wrote about translating Greek, and why he chose what he did. You can check it out on his website, just do a Google search for Adam Beresford. He has various articles on there, but I've only read a few of them. (I was there for the translation stuff...)

protagoras for the short bus crowd
We can all understand the concept of translating a complicated work into one which is slightly more accessible to the general public. This latest incarnation, however, suggests the good people at penguin see the general public as being rather stupid. This version of Protagoras and Meno is so horribly oversimplified as to provide practically no joy of experience, no purpose and, certainly, no value to the reader. This savaged, diluted, shadowy reflection of P & M is, in fact, kind of an achievement in the growing realm of demographic-pandering, in that, each work possessed, prior to this edition, a tidy order of reason which has since been extricated from the pages. My advice to anyone interested in enjoying P & M is to find an older, used book. my advice to penguin is to stop doing this. no one wants to hear a Wagnerian opera adapted for the kazoo. See, virtue can be taught.: ) note: The rating should be 2 stars. The star rating pulldown menu is not showing up in my browser.

Excellent New Translation
Adam Beresford's wonderful new translation of these two Platonic dialogues from the middle period, Protagoras and Meno, struck me, because they captured better than any other translations I've ever read of any other dialogues, the campiness that is so essential to Plato's witty irony, and so often overlooked.I never realized how essential these asides were to his philosophy until I read Beresford's translation.Furthermore, the modern translation, colloquial and clear (and accurate!) makes difficult philosophical arguments - as for example, what makes a man good - easier to follow than translations past. Past translations have obfuscated some of these arguments and even at times rendered them unintelligible.Beresford's work clears up many of these problems.

A stellar translation
I am not a philosopher but who says only philosophers can read Plato's texts and come out with an understanding of what he is up to? Thanks to Adam Beresford's translation of the Protagoras and Meno, I can ask this question now. I've tried reading stilted translations of Plato's texts and they have felt like breaking rocks. I've wondered of those translations if they are in English at all. Reading Beresford's translation was a joy to my imagination and mind. I can now ask myself what being good is and find a way to engage this concept in my own life in a way that I couldn't when being good is translated in many texts as a virtue. In a way Beresford has taken philosophy back to where it belongs, to the butcher, farmer, storekeeper, beekeeper, taxi driver and to an African woman like me. I do not want to sound like his translation is only aimed at the common person. His translation is layered and is apt to be read both by experts in the academy and people like me. This is a new vision, a new way to translate Plato and to bring it back to where Socrates would recognize, to the common person. L.T.

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Plato (428/427 BC-348/347 BC), whose original name was Aristocles, was an ancient Greek philosopher, the second of the great trio of ancient Greeks - succeeding Socrates and preceding Aristotle - who between them laid the philosophical foundations of Western culture. Plato was also a mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world. Plato is widely believed to have been a student of Socrates and to have been deeply influenced by his teacher's unjust death. Plato's brilliance as a writer and thinker can be witnessed by reading his Socratic dialogues. Some of the dialogues, letters, and other works that are ascribed to him are considered spurious. Plato is thought to have lectured at the Academy, although the pedagogical function of his dialogues, if any, is not known with certainty. They have historically been used to teach philosophy, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, and other subjects about which he wrote. ... Read more

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Celebrating its fiftieth year in publication, GREAT POLITICAL THINKERS is an indispensable text for all students of political philosophy. This text contains portions of great works in their original form to whet the appetite and to encourage discussion within the classroom. By providing historical context and current scholarship, Alan Ebenstein builds upon the framework of influences that have shaped current political thoughts and theories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great Book
Great collection of essays with very thoughful commentary by authors and editors. Highly recommend, great reference book.

Great Political Thinkers: Plato to Present
William Ebenstien produced an excellent overview of political thought and Alan Ebenstien improved its brilliance. Its organization is sound and the passages chosen are very well thought out.

Ebenstien's introductions are prolific and insightful. He has a masterful knowledge and understanding of true meaning, context, and consequences of the ideas presented. I reccommend this book to anyone interested in gaining a thorough overview of politcal thought and its origins. I found this book to be clear and rich.

I also encourage Professors of Western Politcal Thought to use this book and challenge thier students to have a greater understanding of ideas, their origins and consequences. In the Hegelian way, understanding history and the context of our times is of the utmost importance. This book will serve its readers well.

great book poli sci lovers
I first read this book (not completely) just out of high school, for the purpose of a little education prior to declaration of a Political Science major. It was easy to read and concepts were easily understood. This book gives enough information to answer basic questions of Political Science as well as creating deeper more involved questions to be answered elsewhere. This is a great background book. Personally, I love the ancient philosphers and this book does a good job of using their best works.

Great Analysis as Well as Anthology
I have the 3rd Edition from college and recently returned to it to read some parts that were omitted then.The book is great because it is not only a comprehensive anthology of important political thought but it also has well-written introductions that explain what you are about to read.Since some of the writers are not the easiest to read in the original, the introduction plays an important part in understanding what you are reading.And don't worry about the price -- you are buying a lifetime reference book.

Great Political Thinkers: From Plato to Present
I purchased this book in 1975.It is the remaining text from my undergraduate days that I keep on my book shelf... a tremndous resource.

I actually took the class of the same title at UC Santa Barbara from Dr. Ebenstein himself.Back then, he was a giant in the political science field (still is) and we stood in awe of him.At the same time, he was the only professor I had there who would invite us to a brown-bag lunch each week to discuss course work and his personal experience in Europe before and during WWII.I cherish the text as a reminder of my unbelievable good fortune to have known this great scholar as well as a kind and gentle man.He and this book continue to inspire me. ... Read more

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The significance of Plato's Apology of Socrates is impossible to overestimate. An account of the famous trial of Socrates in 399 b.c., it appeals to historians, philosophers, political scientists, classicists, and literary critics. It is also essential reading for students of ancient Greek.

This new commentary on Plato's canonical work is designed to accommodate the needs of students in intermediate-level Greek classes, where they typically encounter the Apology for the first time. Paul Allen Miller and Charles Platter, two highly respected classicists and veteran instructors, present the Apology in its traditional thirty-three-chapter structure. They amplify the text with running commentary and glosses of unfamiliar words at the bottom of each page; brief chapter introductions to relevant philosophical, historical, and rhetorical issues; and a separate series of thought-provoking essays, one on each chapter. The essays can serve as bases for class discussions or as starting points for paper topics or general reflection.

By integrating background material into the text at regular intervals rather than front-loading it in a lengthy initial overview or burying it in back-of-the-book endnotes, the authors offer students a rich encounter with the text. Their commentary incorporates the latest research on both the trial of Socrates and Plato's version of it, and it engages major philosophical issues from a contemporary perspective. This book is not only a much-needed aid for students of Greek. It is also the basis of a complete course on the Apology. ... Read more

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Plato on Knowledge and Formsbrings together a set of connected essays by Gail Fine, in her main area of research since the late 1970s: Plato's metaphysics and epistemology. She discusses central issues in Plato's metaphysics and epistemology, issues concerning the nature and extent of knowledge, and its relation to perception, sensibles, and forms; and issues concerning the nature of forms, such as whether they are universals or particulars, separate or immanent, and whether they are causes. A specially written introduction draws together the themes of the volume, which will reward the attention of anyone interested in Plato or in ancient metaphysics and epistemology. ... Read more

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These concise and enlightening explorations of our greatest thinkers bring their ideas to life in an entertaining and accessible fashion.Philosophical thought is deciphered and made comprehensible and interesting to almost everyone.Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined appraisal of the philosopher and his work, authoritative and clearly presented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Short and Sweet
I really enjoyed this short synopsis of Plato's life. Think of these books (the 90 minute philosopher series) as a short lecture you would attend in college. Very brief, yet there was enough detail to get a high level understanding of the timeline of Plato's life and his main achievements.

For instance, I learned in this book the relationship between Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, which I had not known before. I also did not know that Plato started the first university.

This was just a taste to please the palate enough to know whether you would like to find another resource to gain more detailed knowledge and a deeper look at Plato.

I listened to this book as I don't have much time for reading since I am on the road so much. The narrator was great and the recording excellent (as to be expected from Blackstone Audio).

More about his wanderings than his wonderings.
This work focuses more on the life of Plato than on his thought. I would have preferred to have read a story of Plato, which traced the development of his thought through reading the 'Dialogues'. Strathern does provide a good background description of the time, and historical circumstances in which Plato lived. But he does not in my opinion make us truly understand why in Whitehead's famous phrase ' all of Western philosophy is a footnote to Plato'. He does not too when he approaches Plato's masterpience ' The Republic ' show why and how the search for the definition of ' justice' opens the way to understanding all of Plato's thought. He does however make it clear that the gift of Plato to the Western political tradition is a problematic one, as many find in Plato's prescription for a state ruled by a philosopher- king the kernel of the totalitarian dictatorships which were the great nightmares of the twentieth century.
I think he also does not make the reader aware of how 'Socratic ' Plato could be about Plato. i.e. how he even in presenting his own as it were ideal vision presents it in a form where it is questioned and made a subject for further doubt and question i.e. if it seems that Socrates asked the questions and Plato gave the answers, this is misleading. Plato also was primarily a provider of questions. It would be Aristotle who would give answers in accordance with the degree of precision he felt appropriate to each field of knowledge.

Plato light ....but not bland
Strathern summarizes a lot of philosophy in a short book, but at time strips the meat out.This book tries to place Plato both in the context of his time and looks at the heirs of Plato in the Neoplatonists and impacts on Christianity (I thought this was a little weak). Strathern also reveals the paradoxes of Plato's life: decrying poetry but perhaps being the most poetic of the Greek philosophers and, leaning toward totalitarianism and lack of individual freedom, but being a very unique person. Strathern gives Plato 15 pages to speak for himself with selection from the Republic (of course the parable of the cave), Letters, The Law and others.Not comprehensive but worth the time!

Very readable quick introduction to Plato
This book is not, and was not meant to be, an in-depth analysis of the philosophy of Plato. It is a very brief overview of his life and works. I really appreciated the subtle humour which made the book fun to read.

"Great Intro to the life of Plato"
This book will give anyone a better idea of Plato's life, time, ideas, and work.Although Strathern does not reflect on the concepts and work of Plato to an extent of understanding his actual Philosophy, but he rather briefly gives quotes and hints as to provide a basic overview of his outlook on the world in general.If Strathern was in fact to give a more comprehensive account of the ideas and work of Plato the whole point of compacting Plato's life into a "90 minute" book would be gone.I myself had a very minute understanding of the man Plato.But from reading this book I found a lot of useful information that broadened my knowledge of the life and times of Plato.In reading this book you will meet some people that changed Plato's life, aswell as the treasured wisdom Plato handed to many individuals and to the whole of society.So for the amount of time it takes to read the book in contrast with the valuable information accessible, I give this book four stars. ... Read more

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A good, persuasive study
I am a beginner in the study of philosophy. For that reason, I enjoyed Rosen's lucid style, and his preference for avoiding technicisms unless they're absolutely necessary. His arguments are sound and persuasive, and his interpretative practice encourages the reader to engage in a more critical, close reading of Plato's Republic. I am afraid that maybe he's too persuasive, and thus may simplify some problems in the mind of unexperienced readers like myself. In other words, it's hard not to agree with him on everything unless you re-read certain passages by yourself. Besides, the readers of the Republic are legion, and count among them some of the brightest minds of Western culture. In sum, I enjoyed Prof. Rosen's book very much, and I recommend it highly, although I do hope some better qualified students of philosophy may write reviews. ... Read more