Plato: Laws 10: Translated with an Introduction and Commentary (Clarendon Plato Series) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199694729 ISBN 13: 9780199694723

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2011

Synopsis

The Laws is Plato's last and longest dialogue. Although it has been neglected (compared to such works as the Republic and Symposium), it is beginning to receive a great deal of scholarly attention. Book 10 of the Laws contains Plato's fullest defence of the existence of the gods, and his last word on their nature, as well as a presentation and defence of laws against impiety (e.g. atheism). Plato's primary aim is to defend the idea that the gods exist and that they are good - this latter meaning that they do not neglect human beings and cannot be swayed by prayers and sacrifices to overlook injustice. As such, the Laws is an important text for anyone interested in ancient Greek religion, philosophy, and politics generally, and the later thought of Plato in particular.
Robert Mayhew presents a new translation, with commentary, of Book X of the Laws. His primary aim in the translation is fidelity to the Greek. His commentary focuses on philosophical issues (broadly understood to include religion and politics), and deals with philological matters only when doing so serves to better explain those issues. Knowledge of Greek is not assumed, and the Greek that does appear has been transliterated. It is the first commentary in English of any kind on Laws X for nearly 140 years.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Mayhew is Professor of Philosophy at Seton Hall University, New Jersey.

Review

"Review from previous edition: The Laws is rewarding reading and offers a great vista of Plato's last political and philosophical thoughts ... Out of its twelve books, Book 10 is, philosophically, the most important one. Robert Mayhew's volume is a valuable resource for those interested in
this book, especially for those who are first time readers of the Laws."

--Catalin Partenie, Rhizai

"This is a book that anyone seriously interested in Plato's Laws will want to consult ... a clear, useful, and judicious examination of a too-long neglected text. I have no doubt that it will both stimulate new interest in Laws 10 and provide a sturdy foundation for further study of it."

--Nathan Powers, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"this book will prove to be eminently useful to students and scholars"

--James Wood, POLIS

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0199694729
• ISBN 13: 9780199694723
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 248