Plato

Plato
Author: Andrew Mason
Publsiher: Routledge
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2014-12-05
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781317492535

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Plato (c.428-347 BCE) stands at the beginning of many debates that have continued throughout the history of philosophy. His literary career spanned fifty years and the influence of his ideas and those of his followers pervaded philosophy throughout antiquity. Andrew Mason's lucid and engaging introduction, draws on recent scholarship to offer a fresh general survey of Plato's philosophy. Aware of the methodological challenges that confront any writer on Plato, Mason handles the issue of Plato's intellectual development and relationship with Socrates with an assured grasp. Thematically structured, the book begins with Plato's principal contribution to metaphysics, the 'Theory of Forms', which forms a necessary background to his thought in many areas. His theory of knowledge, which is intimately linked with the Forms is explored in detail along with Plato's views of the soul, an important theme in itself and an entry point to discussion of his ethics, one of Plato's major concerns. Finally, the book deals with two areas of Plato's thought which have had an especially important historical impact, not confined to academic philosophy: his theory of God and nature, and his aesthetics. Throughout, Mason highlights the continuing themes in Plato's work and how they develop from one dialogue to another.

The Republic of Plato the Ten Books Complete and Unabridged Classics of Greek Philosophy illustrated

The Republic of Plato  the Ten Books   Complete and Unabridged  Classics of Greek Philosophy   illustrated
Author: Plato
Publsiher: Unknown
Total Pages: 605
Release: 2021-03-13
Genre: Electronic Book
ISBN: 9798721529665

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The Republic itself is nothing at the start of Plato's most famous and influential book. It does not exist. Not only does it not exist in actuality, but it does not exist in theory either. It must be built. It's architect will be Socrates, the fictional persona Plato creates for himself. In the first episode Socrates encounters some acquaintances during the festival of Bendis. His reputation for good conversation already well-established, Socrates is approached by some dilettante philosopher acquaintances and drawn into a dialogue. The discussion quickly moves to justice thanks to Socrates. The other philosophers, including Thrasymachus, Polermarchus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus enthusiastically consent to such a worthy topic. However, it is unlikely at this point that any of these philosophers save Socrates, of course anticipates the ambition and enormity of their undertaking.In Book I, Socrates entertains two distinct definitions of justice. The first is provided by Polermarchus, who suggests that justice is "doing good to your friends and harm to your enemies." The definition, which is a version of conventionally morality, is considered. Very soon though, its faults are clearly apparent. It is far to relative to serve as a formulation of the justice. Moreover, its individual terms are vulnerable; that is to say, how does one know who is a friend and who an enemy? And are not friends as much as enemies capable of evil? And when a friend acts wickedly, should he not be punished? And next, what does it mean that an action is good or bad? The perils of giving credence to false appearances is introduced early on as a major theme. It will be dealt with at length in the succeeding books. Thus surely an idea as noble as justice will not stand on such precarious ground. Socrates is dissatisfied. A second definition, offered by Thrasymachus, endorses tyranny. "Obedience to the interest of the stronger," is likewise mined for its value, shown to be deficient, and discarded. Tyranny, Socrates demonstrates employing several analogies, inevitably results in the fragmentation of the soul. Benevolent rule, on the other hand, ensures a harmonious life for both man and State. Justice is its means and good is its end. That "justice is the excellence of the soul" is Socrates' main conclusion. But there are too many presumptions. Although his auditors have troubled refuting his claims, Socrates knows he has been too vague and that should they truly wish to investigate the question of justice, he will have to be more specific. Book I ends with yet another question. Is the just life more pleasurable, more rewarding than the unjust? Rather all at once the philosophers have inundated themselves. But the first book has succeeded in one major way. It has established the territory of the over-arching argument of the entire work;The philosophers continue the debate in Book II by introducing a new definition that belongs more to political philosophy than pure philosophy: that justice is a legally enforced compromise devised for the mutual protection of citizens of a state. In other words, justice is a fabrication of the State that prevents citizens from harming one another. Socrates is certainly up to the challenge. He dislikes the idea that justice does not exists naturally, but that it must be externally and superficially imposed to discourage unjust behavior. Adeimantus' mentioning of the State seems fortuitous, but it is as if Socrates has been waiting for it all along. Uncertain whether they can arrive at an acceptable definition of justice any other way, Socrates proposes they construct a State of which they approve, and see if they might not find justice lurking in it somewhere. This State arises, Socrates says, "out of the needs of mankind." And the immense project of building a State from its very foundation has officially commenced. Basic necessities are addressed first, then the primitive division of labor, followed...

The Republic

The Republic
Author: Plato
Publsiher: Courier Corporation
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2012-03-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9780486110974

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Influential philosophical treatise of 4th century BC chiefly concerns the idea of justice, plus Platonic theories of ideas, criticism of poetry, philosopher's role. Source of the cave myth. Jowett translation.

Plato and the Body

Plato and the Body
Author: Coleen P. Zoller
Publsiher: State University of New York Press
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2018-07-11
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9781438470832

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Offers an innovative reading of Plato, analyzing his metaphysical, ethical, and political commitments in connection with feminist critiques. For centuries, it has been the prevailing view that in prioritizing the soul, Plato ignores or even abhors the body; however, in Plato and the Body Coleen P. Zoller argues that Plato does value the body and the role it plays in philosophical life, focusing on Plato’s use of Socrates as an exemplar. Zoller reveals a more refined conception of the ascetic lifestyle epitomized by Socrates in Plato’s Phaedo, Symposium, Phaedrus, Gorgias, and Republic. Her interpretation illuminates why those who want to be wise and good have reason to be curious about and love the natural world and the bodies in it, and has implications for how we understand Plato’s metaphysical and political commitments. This book shows the relevance of this broader understanding of Plato for work on a variety of relevant contemporary issues, including sexual morality, poverty, wealth inequality, and peace. Coleen P. Zoller is Professor of Philosophy at Susquehanna University.

The Philosophy of Plato

The Philosophy of Plato
Author: Rupert C. Lodge
Publsiher: Routledge
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2013-11-05
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9781136358166

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First Published in 2000. This is Volume VI of ten in the International Library of Philosophy in a series on Ancient Philosophy. Written around 1956, this book looks at Plato and his works on the biological, social, physical and intellectual background as well as his ethics, aesthetics and philosophy of religion and education, in comparison to his predecessors.

Plato s Forms in Transition

Plato s Forms in Transition
Author: Samuel C. Rickless
Publsiher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 135
Release: 2006-11-23
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9781139462785

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There is a mystery at the heart of Plato's Parmenides. In the first part, Parmenides criticizes what is widely regarded as Plato's mature theory of Forms, and in the second, he promises to explain how the Forms can be saved from these criticisms. Ever since the dialogue was written, scholars have struggled to determine how the two parts of the work fit together. Did Plato mean us to abandon, keep or modify the theory of Forms, on the strength of Parmenides' criticisms? Samuel Rickless offers something that has never been done before: a careful reconstruction of every argument in the dialogue. He concludes that Plato's main aim was to argue that the theory of Forms should be modified by allowing that forms can have contrary properties. To grasp this is to solve the mystery of the Parmenides and understand its crucial role in Plato's philosophical development.

Plato s Ethics

Plato s Ethics
Author: Terence Irwin
Publsiher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 457
Release: 1995
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9780195086454

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Studies Plato's Republic and other dialogues.

Understanding Plato

Understanding Plato
Author: David J. Melling
Publsiher: Oxford University Press on Demand
Total Pages: 178
Release: 1987
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0192891162

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Outlines Plato's life and historical background, introduces his major works, and offers a fresh approach to the interpretation of his ideas