Britannica Great Books: Plato
by Encyclopedia Britannica, Plato
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In 399 BC Socrates was prosecuted, convicted, sentenced to death and executed. These events were the culmination of a long philosophical career, a career in which, without writing a word, he established himself as the figure whom all philosophers of the next few generations wished to follow. The Apologies (or Defence Speeches) by Plato and Xenophon are rival accounts of how, at his trial, Socrates defended himself and his philosophy. This edition brings together both Apologies within a show more single volume. The commentary answers literary, linguistic and philosophical questions in a way that is suitable for readers of all levels, helping teachers and students engage more closely with the Greek texts. The introduction examines Socrates himself, the literature generated by his trial, Athenian legal procedures, his guilt or innocence of the crimes for which he was executed, and the rivalry between Xenophon and Plato. show lessTags
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Obviously made for greater minds than mine. While this is some of the most important philosophical work that is the foundation of much 'Classical' Western writing, philosophy and politics, I found most of it very hard going, though there are a few gems hiding in here. I am going to make a point of reading a different translation of 'The Republic' to see if that makes it any easier to get through.
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Western Canon
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Plato was born c. 427 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family very much involved in political government. Pericles, famous ruler of Athens during its golden age, was Plato's stepfather. Plato was well educated and studied under Socrates, with whom he developed a close friendship. When Socrates was publically executed in 399 B.C., Plato show more finally distanced himself from a career in Athenian politics, instead becoming one of the greatest philosophers of Western civilization. Plato extended Socrates's inquiries to his students, one of the most famous being Aristotle. Plato's The Republic is an enduring work, discussing justice, the importance of education, and the qualities needed for rulers to succeed. Plato felt governors must be philosophers so they may govern wisely and effectively. Plato founded the Academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth. The Academy lasted well into the 6th century A.D., and is the model for all western universities. Its formation is along the lines Plato laid out in The Republic. Many of Plato's essays and writings survive to this day. Plato died in 347 B.C. at the age of 80. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Britannica Great Books: Plato
- First words
- Yesterday evening I returned from the army at Potidaea, and having been a good while away, I thought that I should like to go and look at my old haunts.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)If in this present account of them they appear to anyone more intelligible, and seem to anyone to show sufficient grounds in view of the circumstances, the present statement is adequate and not too lengthy.
- Disambiguation notice
- This work ("The Works of Plato" in the Great Books of the Western World series) is NOT the complete works of Plato. It does not contain Plato's "Alcibiades". Please do not combine this work with the complete works of Plato.... (show all)
List of contents of this Great Books volume: (per Wikipedia)
Charmides
Lysis
Laches
Protagoras
Euthydemus
Cratylus
Phaedrus
Ion
Symposium
Meno
Euthyphro
Apology
Crito
Phaedo
Gorgias
The Republic
Timaeus
Critias
Parmenides
Theaetetus
Sophist
Statesman
Philebus
Laws
The Seventh Letter
Classifications
- Genre
- Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 888.4 — Literature & rhetoric Classical & modern Greek literatures Classical Greek miscellaneous writings Plato (See also 184.1)
- LCC
- AC1 .G72 — General Works Collections. Series. Collected works Collections. Series. Collected works Collections of monographs, essays, etc. American and English
- BISAC
Statistics
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- Reviews
- 1
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- (3.64)
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 34
