Plato's Republic An Introduction

by Sayers, Sean

• ISBN13: 9780748611881
• ISBN10: 0748611886
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-28
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Summary

This book provides a clear, concise and highly readable introduction to the main themes of Plato's Republic. It covers Plato's social and political thought, his moral philosophy, his epistemology and metaphysics, and his philosophy of art and literature. Plato's theories in all these areas are presented in clear and straightforward terms. They are located in the context of the views of subsequent philosophers and critically assessed in the light of current debates. The contemporary significance of Plato's ideas is emphasised throughout. Written in a lucid and lively style, this book succeeds in making a wide range of fundamental philosophical ideas widely accessible. It provides an ideal introduction to the Republic for students taking courses in philosophy, political and social thought, classical studies, literary theory, religious studies, etc., as well as for the general reader.

Author Biography

Sean Sayers is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Kent at Canterbury.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgements	xi
Plato and the Republic	1	(8)
The Challenge to Socrates (I.327a--II.367e)	9	(11)
Basic Principles of Social Life and Human Nature (II.367e--376c)	20	(12)
Education and the Life of the Guardians (II.376c--IV.427e)	32	(13)
Communism and the Individual (III.415d--IV.427c)	45	(11)
Justice in Society (IV.427d--434d)	56	(12)
Justice in the Individual (IV.434d--V.449a)	68	(14)
Women and the Family (V.449a--V.471c)	82	(11)
Philosophy and Society (V.471c--VI.502c)	93	(13)
The Theory of Forms	106	(16)
The Line, the Cave and Higher Education (VI.509d--VII.541b)	122	(13)
The Reply to the Sophists (VII.543a--IX.592b)	135	(13)
The Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry (X.595a--608b)	148	(10)
The Rewards of Justice (X.608c--621d)	158	(6)
Bibliography	164	(10)
Index	174