The Republic (Dover Thrift Editions: Philosophy) - Softcover

Plato

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0486411214 ISBN 13: 9780486411217

Publisher: Dover Publications, 2000

Synopsis

Plato's timeless masterpiece takes readers on a thought-provoking journey, exploring profound questions about justice, morality, and the nature of reality. It is a philosophical dialogue that delves into the human soul, the power of education, and the ultimate pursuit of a good life.
 
Famous philosophical treatise of the 4th century BC concerns itself chiefly with the idea of justice, as well as such Platonic theories as that of ideas, the criticism of poetry, and the philosopher's role. Source of the famous cave myth and prototype for other imaginary commonwealths, including those of Cicero, St. Augustine, and More. Benjamin Jowett translation.
 

• Classic Philosophical Masterpiece: The Republic by Plato is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of philosophy, offering profound insights into the nature of justice, the ideal state, and the philosopher's role in society.
• Influential and Timeless: A forerunner for political classics such as Cicero's De Republica, St. Augustine's City of God, and Thomas More's Utopia, Plato's Republic has had a lasting impact on political thought and continues to be studied and referenced by scholars, philosophers, and political theorists worldwide.
• Explores Fundamental Questions: The book delves into essential questions about the nature of reality, the pursuit of knowledge, and the relationship between individuals and the state, provoking thought and stimulating critical thinking.
• Engaging and Intriguing: Written in the form of dialogues, The Republic captivates readers with its engaging and accessible style, offering a fascinating exploration of ideas through Socrates' questioning of his students and fellow citizens.
• The Cave Myth: Plato invents the powerful allegory of a cave that illustrates the journey from ignorance to enlightenment. It depicts individuals confined in a dark cave, perceiving only shadows on the wall, until one escapes and discovers the true nature of reality, representing the ascent from the material world to the realm of knowledge and truth.
• Relevant to Modern Society: The Republic raises timeless questions about the nature of governance, the ethics of leadership, and the pursuit of a just society, making it highly relevant for contemporary readers interested in political philosophy and societal issues.

Often ranked as the greatest of Plato's many remarkable writings, The Republic serves as an indispensable read for high school and college students, lovers of classical literature and philosophy, and anyone seeking profound insights into the complexities of human society and the pursuit of justice.

About this title

About the Author

Plato ranks among the most familiar ancient philosophers, along with his teacher, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle. In addition to writing philosophical dialogues — used to teach logic, ethics, rhetoric, religion, and mathematics as well as philosophy — he founded Athens' Academy, the Western world's first institution of higher learning.

From the Back Cover

This celebrated philosophical work of the fourth century B.C. contemplates the elements of an ideal state, serving as the forerunner for such other classics of political thought as Cicero's De Republica, St. Augustine's City of God, and Thomas More's Utopia.
Written in the form of a dialog in which Socrates questions his students and fellow citizens, The Republic concerns itself chiefly with the question, "What is justice?" as well as Plato's theory of ideas and his conception of the philosopher's role in society. To explore the latter, he invents the allegory of the cave to illustrate his notion that ordinary men are like prisoners in a cave, observing only the shadows of things, while philosophers are those who venture outside the cave and see things as they really are, and whose task it is to return to the cave and tell the truth about what they have seen. This dynamic metaphor expresses at once the eternal conflict between the world of the senses (the cave) and the world of ideas (the world outside the cave), and the philosopher's role as mediator between the two.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0486411214
• ISBN 13: 9780486411217
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288