New Skins for Old Wine: Plato's Wisdom for Today's World [Paperback]

Stephen C. Lovatt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2007

Most books of spirituality are far removed from intellectual rigor, and most books of philosophy are as dry as old bones. This volume seeks to bridge the gap. The author invites his readers to view the modern world through philosophical eyes as he relates Plato's words to issues such as friendship, human -rights, education, sexuality, bio-ethics and politics. Plato's words are quoted throughout the text; along with those of other thinkers such as Origen, Aquinas, King Charles I of England, Neitzche, Popper, Benedict XVI, and even Voldemort - the villain of the Harry Potter books.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Lovatt obtained a BA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University in 1976. After a career in the electronics industry, he returned to academic studies at Bristol University, where he carried out research in scattering theory and relativistic quantum mechanics. He received his PhD in 1993. He then conducted post-doctoral research in Density Functional Theory and the physics of semiconductor devices. In 2002 he began two years of teacher training, after which he was appointed a lecturer at the Army School of Electrical and Aeronautical Engineering. At the time of writing, he works as an electronics engineer in Hampshire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Universal Publishers (May 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581129602
• ISBN-13: 978-1581129601
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,937,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clearing up muddied thinking?, December 27, 2008

By 

Paul Miller (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Skins for Old Wine: Plato's Wisdom for Today's World (Paperback)

The book covers scattered topics of contemporary relevance, linked by the author's personal interest and connected to an underlying Platonic and Christian viewpoint of the world. The author covers topics of academic interest --- from life and consciousness to sexuality and religion --- in an opinionated style that brings the subject matter to life and should encourage lively debate in any classroom setting. In an attempt to address issues of importance today through a philosophy based on Platonism and objective realism, the author is to be commended. The book will appeal to many and should, as the author hopes, encourage readers to think more deeply about topics where everyday thinking can be muddied. In some topics (eg Islam) I fear the author strays beyond his area of expertise, but attempts to address such deficiencies by incorporating various personal exchanges in a manner reminiscent of Socratic dialog within the text. Such debates will add to the value of this book in a classroom setting and I recommend its use in an introductory course in philosophy.

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air., September 11, 2011

By 

Jake Kramer - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Skins for Old Wine: Plato's Wisdom for Today's World (Paperback)

For those who are familiar with much of contemporary philosophy- they will know that it is almost entirely "spiritual" and pretentious nonsense. Lovatt's book is a return back to logical thought and reasoned conclusions. As stated in another comment, he ranges a broad spectrum of topics with views that generally take concepts from both sides of the aisle to create what he believes to be the correct answer. This is a wonderful guide to many of Plato's thoughts, and raises pertinent issues in often unique ways. To the atheists out there- Lovatt will often raise the topic of God, but takes it as a given that God exists. Speaking as an atheist and or an agnostic, this is NO deterent to reading the book. Nearly everything Lovatt says will still carry weight in worldview without God, and you may find yourself pleasently surprised at his explicit use of logic. The only thing I have against the book is that I found parts of it a bit "dry". But if you are on the pursuit for truth, beauty, and justice- this book is an excellent place to start, continue, or finish.