The Republic (Great Books in Philosophy) [Paperback]

Plato (Author), Benjamin Jowett (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0879753455 | ISBN-13: 978-0879753450 | Publication Date: September 1986

Throughout the history of Western Civilisation many powerful works, penned by some of the greatest minds in philosophy, have influenced the development and evolution of political theory, but none has had the profound impact of Plato's "Republic". Written by one of the founding fathers of Western philosophy, "The Republic", like most of Plato's dialogues, sets the stage for debates that have occupied the minds of thoughtful persons for more than two millennia. Why does government exist? What is its nature and purpose? Who should govern, and how is this decision to be made? Why should we obey the law? Answers to these and other questions are developed by Plato amid the give and take of a dialogue between his protagonist, Socrates, and a circle of concerned intellectuals. Metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical considerations combine to create an ideal state next to which all existing regimes can be compared.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Griffith's] aim was to traslate the Greek text as if it were a conversation, and he has succeeded admirably." Library Journal

"In addition to a vivid, dignified and accurate rendition of Plato's text, the student and general reader will find many aids to comprehension in this volume: an introduction that assesses the cultural background to the Republic, its place within political philosophy, and its general argument; succinct notes in the body of the text; an analytical summary of the work's content; a full glossary of proper names; a chronology of important events; and a guide to further reading. The result is an accomplished and accessible edition of this seminal work, suitable for philosophers and classicists as well as historians of political thought at all levels." African Sun Times Review of Books --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879753455
• ISBN-13: 978-0879753450
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,813,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plato's bargain, July 31, 2006

By 

Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Republic (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I won't waste time trying to summarize Plato's "The Republic". Most people (I would guess nine out of ten) who have read this colussus of classical philosophy, read it because they were forced to by their college instructors. This is unfortunate because "The Republic" is a compelling and enduring philosophy of how life should be lived, how justice should be approached, and how leaders should lead.

What recommends this book, really, is the bargain price: under five bucks. As one of those college instructors who makes their students read this, I always recommend this edition. Sterling and Scott's translation is as good as anyone else's, so why not save my students a few bucks? And, if you're one of those one out of ten who is considering reading this on your own, you've only got five bucks to lose, but an awful lot of rewarding reading to gain!

Rocco Dormarunno
College of New Rochelle

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Classic, December 14, 2005

By 

John Freeman "JF, Philosophiae Doctor" (El Cajon, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Republic (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I got in to this book after reading E. Robert Morse's Justice and Equality and hearing about the parallels and I was pleasantly surprised. The translation wasn't a very difficult read and there are a lot of valid ideas that are still meaningful today. The wide scope of topics prevents boredom and the read is quick. I was interested in the opening questions- what is Justice and why should we be just? If one can gain material things and social prominence not being just and moreover being unjust, why do it? His answers aren't always filled with perspective, but they do open one's mind. Another good book along these lines is Essays by Michel de Montaigne which is an overview of life from a humanist's perspective.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another suberb accomplishment, June 13, 2000

By 

theCardiffGiant (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Republic Of Plato (Paperback)

F. M. Cornford is possessed of the rare distinction among translator's of being not only a philologist but a celebrated historian and a deeply philosophical scholar. His English translations of Plato are unparalleled if only because he understands the subject matter better than any historian, and understands the language better than any philosopher. His work is consistently above par.

An eminently readable edition of a classic and essential text.