Plato's 'Republic': A Critical Guide (Cambridge Critical Guides)
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Reissue, 5/30/2013
EAN 9781107681224, ISBN10: 1107681227
Paperback, 288 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm
Language: English
Plato's Republic has proven to be of astounding influence and importance. Justly celebrated as Plato's central text, it brings together all of his prior works, unifying them into a comprehensive vision that is at once theological, philosophical, political and moral. The essays in this volume provide a picture of the most interesting aspects of the Republic, and address questions that continue to puzzle and provoke, such as: Does Plato succeed in his argument that the life of justice is the most attractive one? Is his tripartite analysis of the soul coherent and plausible? Why does Plato seem to have to force his philosopher-guardians to rule when they know this is something that they ought to do? What is the point of the strange and complicated closing Myth of Er? This volume will be essential to those looking for thoughtful and detailed excursions into the problems posed by Plato's text and ideas.
Introduction Mark L. McPherran
1. Socrates in the Republic G. R. F. Ferrari
2. Platonic ring-composition and Republic X Rachel Barney
3. The Atlantis story
the Republic and the Timaeus Julia Annas
4. Ethics and politics in Socrates' defense of justice Rachana Kamtekar
5. Plato's divided soul Christopher Shields
6. The meaning of 'saphêneia' in Plato's divided line J. H. Lesher
7. Plato's philosophical method in the Republic
the divided line (510b–511d) Hugh H. Benson
8. Blindness and reorientation
education and the acquisition of knowledge in the Republic C. D. C. Reeve
9. Music all pow'rful Malcolm Schofield
10. Return to the cave Nicholas D. Smith
11. Degenerate regimes in Plato's Republic Zena Hitz
12. Virtue, luck, and choice at the end of the Republic Mark L. McPherran
Bibliography
Index of passages
Index of names and subjects.