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

Nickolas Pappas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0415299977 | ISBN-13: 978-0415299978 | Edition: 2

Plato's Republic is perhaps the most significant and important work of philosophy and is Plato's most famous work. No other work has made such an impact on the history of western thought.

In this second edition of the highly successful Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Republic, Nickolas Pappas extends his exploration of the text to include substantial revisions and new material. In addition to the existing text, the chapters on Plato's ethics and politics have been revised and enlarged to include two brand new sections. There is further discussion of Plato on aesthetics including a section of Aristotle's criticism of Plato on beauty.

Plato and the Republic, second edition assesses and introduces:
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

Admirably clear and accessible...Throughout, one gets the sense of a skillful lecturer who is adept at rendering Plato's thoughts into terms that contemporary students will understand.
Praise for the first edition
–Mind

About the Author

Nickolas Pappas is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (August 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415299977
• ISBN-13: 978-0415299978
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #644,043 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.