The Laws (Penguin Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Plato (Author), Trevor J. Saunders (Editor, Translator, Introduction), Richard Stalley (Preface)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0140449841 | ISBN-13: 978-0140449846 | Publication Date: June 28, 2005

In The Laws, Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system of legislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia. His laws not only govern crime and punishment but also form a code of conduct for all aspects of life in his ideal state—from education, sports, and religion to sexual behavior, marriage, and drinking parties. Plato sets out a plan for the day-to-day rule of Magnesia, administered by citizens and elected officials, with supreme power held by a Council. Although Plato’s views that citizens should act in complete obedience to the law have been read as totalitarian, The Laws nonetheless constitutes a highly impressive program for the reform of society and provides a crucial insight into the mind of one of classical Greece’s foremost thinkers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Plato (c. 427–347 bce) was one of the shapers of the entire intellectual tradition of the West and sought cures for the ills of society in philosophy.
Trevor J. Saunders has translated many volumes of Plato for the Penguin Classics. Richard Stalley is professor of ancient philosophy at the University of Glasgow.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140449841
• ISBN-13: 978-0140449846
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > More Languages > Greek

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Plato As Law Giver, August 12, 2007

By 

Jeff Marzano (Essex Junction, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Laws (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book as part of my research into Plato himself.

It's hard for me to see how relevant a book like this is today. Plato's world was very different than today. People owned slaves, there was no internet or mass communications, Christianity didn't even exist yet, etc..

However it did provide some of the insights I was looking for about Plato himself.

Plato's writings have a smooth quality. St. Augustine called Plato's philosophy very 'clear'. Reading his works can almost be like a sort of religious experience since he often talks about the various mythological gods and God Himself. A book carries the spirit of the author I guess.

Plato believed in reincarnation and the law of karma. For example he felt that the death penalty is a blessing in disguise for incorrigible criminals since it prevents them from contaminating their souls with even more evil.

I feel this book shows the influence of two things that were very important for Plato; his belief in Atlantis and the books in the old testament of the bible that talk about the details of those laws that were given from on high. These two things were always there deep in his thoughts.

Atlantis was a utopian society at first and it seems that for all of his life Plato was trying to recreate this ideal society. But I doubt that he could have imagined the information that came out in the 1900s from the great Edgar Cayce (Osiris). Sometimes when people see flying saucers those are our ancestors from Atlantis travelling through time.

It is not a coincidence that fate chose Plato to preserve the legend of Atlantis for future generations. He was there on Atlantis himself at the very beginning.

Interestingly the author of this translation doesn't agree that The Laws shows how Plato became more realistic when he realized that the idealistic society described in The Republic could never become a reality. That is a common theory that many people believe.

Rather he feels Plato would have known that The Republic could never beome a reality.

I think the next thing I'll read about Plato is a biography as part of my ongoing research.

Jeff Marzano

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