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The Blackwell Guide to Plato's Republic consists of thirteen new essays written by both established scholars and younger researchers with the specific aim of helping readers to understand Plato's masterwork. This guide to Plato's Republic is designed to help readers understand this foundational work of the Western canon. Sheds new light on many central features and themes of the Republic. Covers the literary and philosophical style of the Republic; Plato's theories of justice and knowledge; his educational theories; and his treatment of the divine. Will be of interest to readers who are new to

Plato's antidemocratic theory of social justice is instructive once we
distinguish between the abstract parts of his theory and the empirical or
other assumptions he uses in applying that theory. His application may
have contained empirical mistakes, and it may have been burdened too much
with a prolific metaphysics and a demanding epistemology. An attempt is
made to look at his theory of social justice in imaginary isolation from
empirical mistakes and from his metaphysics and epistemology. It is then
argued that some of Plato's proposals and criticisms of democracy are well
worth our attention, especially in the case of governing. His attempt to
separate ruling and wealth and to establish economic floors and ceilings
for his ideal city seems especially instructive in view of problems in
these areas that modern democracies have experienced. Isolating his theory
of social justice from his epistemology and metaphysics may be more
problematic. Still, Plato's insistence that superior wisdom is the central
virtue of rulers is instructive, and in this respect some modern defenders
of democratic justice, such as J. S. Mill and John Rawls, have leaned some
in Plato's direction. Finally, Plato's criticism of democratic free choice
of occupation is less persuasive.

Résumé L'argumentation de Platon pour l'égalité des femmes dans la République a clairement une structure en deux parties : sa théorie de la justice sociale, et des prémisses empiriques au sujet de la distribution des compétences innées concernées entre les hommes et les femmes. Dans les Lois la théorie éthique est moins claire, mais il donne plus de preuves pour ses prémisses empiriques, conduisant à des conclusions semblables quoique moins révolutionnaires au sujet de l'éducation et des occupations des femmes. Finalement, on discute brièvement si Platon était un féministe, en distinguant non-discrimination et droits égaux.

The theory of the Form of the Good in the Republic is truly and coherently the centerpiece of the canonical Platonism of the middle dialogues, the centerpiece of Plato's metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and politics, and even his theory of love and art. In this theory of the Form of the Good Plato was truly the first grand philosophical synthesiser. If to achieve such a grand synthesis he had to employ a few unholy combinations, such as the combination of reality, goodness, and self-predication, he may perhaps be forgiven - at least if he is understood.

Understanding Plato's Republic is an accessible introduction to the concepts of justice that inform Plato's Republic, elucidating the ancient philosopher's main argument that we would be better off leading just lives rather than unjust ones Provides a much needed up to date discussion of The Republic's fundamental ideas and Plato's main argumentDiscusses the unity and coherence of The Republic as a wholeWritten in a lively style, informed by over 50 years of teaching experienceReveals rich insights into a timeless classic that holds remarkable relevance to the modern world

"Understanding Plato's Republic is an accessible introduction to the concepts of justice that inform Plato's Republic, elucidating the ancient philosopher's main argument that we would be better off leading just lives rather than unjust ones. Provides a much needed up to date discussion of The Republic's fundamental ideas and Plato's main argument ; Discusses the unity and coherence of The Republic as a whole ; Written in a lively style, informed by over 50 years of teaching experience ; Reveals rich insights into a timeless classic that holds remarkable relevance to the modern world"--Provided by publisher.

The central question in contemporary ethics is whether virtue can replace duty as the primary notion in ethical theory. The subject of intense contemporary debate in ethical theory, virtue ethics is currently enjoying an increase in interest. This is the first book to focus directly on the subject. It provides a clear, systematic introduction to the area and houses under one cover a collection of the central articles published on the debate over the past decade. The essays encompass a wide range ofaspects: the difference between virtue ethics and traditional duty ethics; present arguments for and against virtue ethics; the practical implications of virtue ethics and the Aristotelian and Kantian attitudes to virtue ethics