The Republic

Front Cover
Penguin, 1974 - Justice - 467 pages
The best known of Plato's dialogues, The Republic applies the principles of philosophy to political affairs. Ostensibly a discussion of the nature of justice, it lays before us Plato's vision of the ideal state, covering a wide range of topics, social, educational, psychological, moral and philosophical. It also includes in the process, some of Plato's most important writing on the nature of reality and the theory of the 'forms'. Plato is critical of Athenian democracy, which had been responsible for the execution of his friend, and teacher, Socrates, and his political ideas, as expressed in The Republic, started lines of thought which are still relevant today. This translation was first published in 1955 and revised in 1974 and 1987. The translator died in 1993.

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Contents

PREFACE
ix
BK Si Prelude
3
BK S4 Adeimantus and Glaucon Restate the Case
26
Copyright

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About the author (1974)

Plato was born c. 427 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family very much involved in political government. Pericles, famous ruler of Athens during its golden age, was Plato's stepfather. Plato was well educated and studied under Socrates, with whom he developed a close friendship. When Socrates was publically executed in 399 B.C., Plato finally distanced himself from a career in Athenian politics, instead becoming one of the greatest philosophers of Western civilization. Plato extended Socrates's inquiries to his students, one of the most famous being Aristotle. Plato's The Republic is an enduring work, discussing justice, the importance of education, and the qualities needed for rulers to succeed. Plato felt governors must be philosophers so they may govern wisely and effectively. Plato founded the Academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth. The Academy lasted well into the 6th century A.D., and is the model for all western universities. Its formation is along the lines Plato laid out in The Republic. Many of Plato's essays and writings survive to this day. Plato died in 347 B.C. at the age of 80.

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