Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Republic (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) [Paperback]

Nickolas Pappas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415095328 | ISBN-13: 978-0415095327 | Publication Date: July 2, 1995 | Edition: 1

Plato is one of the most important figures in Western thought. The Republic is his most important, and most widely studied, work. This GuideBook will steer the reader clearly through this work.
Plato and the Republic will introduce and assess:
* Plato's life and the background to the Republic
* The text and ideas of the Republic
* Plato's continuing importance to Western thought
Ideal for students coming to Plato for the first time, this GuideBook will be vital for all students of Plato in philosophy, politics and classics at all levels.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an excellent example of recent work on Plato...fully informed and insightful...students will find Pappas's style very clear, not the least bit intimidating, and even humorous." -- Ancient Philosophy

"...interesting and makes compelling reading...deserves a spot on the bookshelves of those who are more familiar with the Republic; Pappas' book will be valuable both as a teaching aid and as a reference book...provides fresh insight to some of the more perennially problematic passages." -- Canadian Philosophical Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Nickolas Pappas is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at City College, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (July 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415095328
• ISBN-13: 978-0415095327
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.7 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,851,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Plato readers, August 1, 2003

By 

Albert L. Weeks "aweeks" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Republic (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) (Paperback)

Nickolas Pappas' book on Plato's Republic adds a unique perspective to the collection of books on Plato and his major political work. Pappas presents this ancient masterpiece with an eye on the modern reader and "present interest." We not only fit the Republic into political thought and practice of the Fifth Century B.C. We also perceive its relevance to today's world.
Instead of a dry, "academic" discussion, the author presents a lively and trenchant analysis that investigates every concept of Plato's work. The book's exhaustive index is an additional aid to the reader. So is the author's concluding section titled "Fundamental Premises in the Republic's Argument." As a teacher of philosophy myself, I consider Pappas' work to be indispensable for my students' comprehension of some of the most intriguing and challenging ideas on government and citizenship ever developed in political thought. Pappas shows clearly why Plato's Republic has endured for over 2,000 years as a blueprint for the critique of politics in any age.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For the busy student, June 22, 2003

By 

Thomas (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Republic (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) (Paperback)

Although Pappas' book on the Republic is well written and fairly detailed, I feel that it adds little to the two standard texts: Julia Annas' and Nicholas White's. In fact Pappas admits in his introduction that he has drawn a lot from these. Pappas' study can be a good choice for the student in a rush, but it is not the best for an in-depth study of the text.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book available for understanding this text, January 16, 2000

By 

Shantonu (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Republic (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) (Library Binding)

Professor Pappas has written the best book of its kind on this important and often difficult work. To coin a phrase, it really is the Republic "in large letters." I would not try to tackle the forms without it.