Understanding Plato's Republic - Softcover

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Gerasimos Santas is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at the University of California, Irvine. He has taught courses in Ancient Greek Philosophy, Plato's Republic, and Ehics for fifty years in American Colleges and Universities. He is author of Socrates (1979), Plato and Freud (1988), Goodness and Justice (2001), and editor of The Blackwell Guide to Plato's Republic (2006).

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Plato is one of the most influential authors in the history of ideas and his best known work, The Republic -- written in his familiar form of dialogue -- is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Western philosophy. Understanding Plato&;s Republic provides readers with an accessible introduction to the concepts of justice that inform Plato&;s masterwork, carefully explicating his main argument that we would be better off leading just lives rather than unjust ones. The book examines the basic ideas Plato uses to build up his theory of justice: his theories of forms, function and virtue; his psychology; his analogy between just society and a just person; and the knowledge of good that Plato deemed necessary for governing well. Also discussed are consequences of Plato's theory of justice, such as the equality of women and his criticisms of democracy.  The book concludes with an insightful discussion of Plato&;s passionate defense of his ideals of a good and just society and a just person.

Informed by over 50 years of teaching experience, Santas&; lively and engaging writing style makes The Republic accessible to all while remaining faithful to dialogue&;s philosophical complexity. Understanding Plato's Republic reveals rich insights into a timeless classic that holds remarkable relevance to the modern world.