Plato's 'Republic': An Introduction - cover image

Copyright

Sean McAleer

Published On

2020-11-06

ISBN

Paperback978-1-80064-053-5
Hardback978-1-80064-054-2
PDF978-1-80064-055-9
HTML978-1-80064-633-9
XML978-1-80064-058-0
EPUB978-1-80064-056-6
MOBI978-1-80064-057-3

Language

  • English

Print Length

348 pages (xxviii+320)

Dimensions

Paperback156 x 24 x 234 mm(6.14" x 0.95" x 9.21")
Hardback156 x 27 x 234 mm(6.14" x 1.06" x 9.21")

Weight

Paperback1458g (51.43oz)
Hardback1851g (65.29oz)

Media

Illustrations21

OCLC Number

1224954874

LCCN

2019394571

BIC

  • DB
  • HPCA
  • H
  • HP

BISAC

  • PHI000000
  • PHI000000
  • PHI002000

LCC

  • B395

Keywords

  • Plato
  • philosophy
  • classical philosophy
  • ancient philosophy
  • political theory
  • justice
  • history
  • society
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Plato's 'Republic'

An Introduction

  • Sean McAleer (author)
This book is a lucid and accessible companion to Plato’s Republic, throwing light upon the text’s arguments and main themes, placing them in the wider context of the text’s structure. In its illumination of the philosophical ideas underpinning the work, it provides readers with an understanding and appreciation of the complexity and literary artistry of Plato’s Republic. McAleer not only unpacks the key overarching questions of the text – What is justice? And Is a just life happier than an unjust life? – but also highlights some fascinating, overlooked passages which contribute to our understanding of Plato’s philosophical thought.

Plato’s 'Republic': An Introduction offers a rigorous and thought-provoking analysis of the text, helping readers navigate one of the world’s most influential works of philosophy and political theory. With its approachable tone and clear presentation, it constitutes a welcome contribution to the field, and will be an indispensable resource for philosophy students and teachers, as well as general readers new to, or returning to, the text.

Endorsements

It is an excellent book – highly intelligent, interesting and original. Expressing high philosophy in a readable form without trivialising it is a very difficult task and McAleer manages the task admirably. Plato is, yet again, intensely topical in the chaotic and confused world in which we are now living.

Philip Allott

Professor Emeritus of International Public Law. Cambridge University

Additional Resources

Contents

1. Fathers and Sons: Book I

(pp. 1–24)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.01

2. Taming the Beast: Socrates versus Thrasymachus, Book I

(pp. 25–54)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.02

3. A Fresh Start: Book II

(pp. 55–74)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.03

4. Blueprints for a Platonic Utopia: Education and Culture, Books II and III

(pp. 75–92)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.04

5. Starting to Answer the First Question: The Political Virtues, Book IV

(pp. 93–112)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.05

6. The Republic’s First Question Answered at Last: Personal Justice, Book IV

(pp. 113–130)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.06

7. Questions about the Ideal Polis: The Three Waves, Book V

(pp. 131–150)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.07

8. Surfing the Third Wave: Plato’s Metaphysical Elevator, the Powers Argument, and the Infallibility of Knowledge, Book V

(pp. 151–174)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.08

9. The Philosopher’s Virtues: Book VI

(pp. 175–190)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.09

10. Metaphors to Think by: The Sun and Divided Line Analogies, Book VI

(pp. 191–210)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.10

11. The Allegory of the Cave: Book VII

(pp. 211–228)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.11

12. The Decline and Fall of the Ideal City-Soul: Books VIII–IX

(pp. 229–250)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.12

13. The Republic’s Second Question Answered: Three and a Half Arguments that the Just Life is Happier, Book IX

(pp. 251–274)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.13

14. Are We There Yet? Books VIII–IX

(pp. 275–298)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.14

Afterword

(pp. 299–304)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.15

Introduction

(pp. viii–xxvii)
  • Sean McAleer
https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0229.16

Contributors

Sean McAleer

(author)
Professor of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire