The Republic (Plato, #14) (Classics) (Golden Classics, #53)

by Plato

Desmond Lee (Introduction) and H.D.P. Lee (Translator)

Plato's "Republic" is widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of Western philosophy. Presented in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and three different interlocutors, it is an enquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it. During the conversation other questions are raised: what is goodness; what is reality; what is knowledge? "The Republic" also addresses the purpose of education and the role of both women and men as 'guardians' of the people. With remarkable lucidity and deft use of allegory, Plato arrives at a depiction of a state bound by harmony and ruled by 'philosopher kings'.

• ISBN10: 0140449140
• ISBN13: 9780140449143
• Publish Date: 30 January 2003 (first published 1 September 1888)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 25 March 2007
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Pearson Education Limited
• Edition: Revised edition
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

The mere size of Plato's Republic is intimidating, and almost every schoolchild is wary and exhausted of the Cave Allegory. If you can sort through Plato/Socrates' metaphors - some of which are more confusing than others - this is an interesting piece of philosophy. I advise reading the whole book - while the Allegory may stand out as something significant (which it is), it is also often taken out of context.

[angelarenea9]

I just didn't like it. There's nothing wrong with it, I just didn't really understand it, and wasn't really interested in what I did understand.