Plato is perhaps the most significant philosopher who has ever lived, and The Republic, composed in Athens in about 375 BC, is widely regarded as his most famous dialogue. Its discussion of the perfect city—and the perfect mind—laid the foundations for Western culture and, for over two thousand years, has been the cornerstone of Western philosophy. As Simon Blackburn writes, "It has probably sustained more commentary, and been subject to more radical and impassioned disagreement, than almost any other of the great founding texts of the modern world."
In Plato's Republic, Simon Blackburn explains the judicial, moral, and political ideas in The Republic. Blackburn also examines The Republic's remarkable influence and unquestioned staying power, and shows why, from Saint Augustine to twentieth-century philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein and Henri Bergson, Western thought is still conditioned by this most important of books.
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"Absolutely inspiring book! A must-read for every citizen. If only we live our life according to the letter of this book, the world would be close to utopia. "
— Yzobelle (5 out of 5 stars)
A clear and accessible introduction to philosophy's first superstar.
— Kirkus" Found this a good accompaniment to reading Plato's Republic. "
— Lily, 8/22/2013" I am reading it again from the start as its been so long. It's a great book. "
— Claire, 8/19/2013" Was the author's summation and views on the book, which was rather...dull. (Audio book version btw, no time to read anymore) "
— Matthew, 5/24/2013" It was very difficult to read, although illuminating I couldn't get through it. "
— Will, 3/20/2013" Absolutely inspiring book! A must-read for every citizen. If only we live our life according to the letter of this book, the world would be close to utopia. "
— Yzobelle, 1/30/2013" Readable, inspiring, thought-provoking, insightful... "
— Hevel, 9/28/2011" an erudite, no-nonsense guide to 'the republic' "
— Vivencio, 5/14/2011" an erudite, no-nonsense guide to 'the republic' "
— Vivencio, 9/1/2010" I am reading it again from the start as its been so long. It's a great book. "
— Claire, 4/20/2010" Was the author's summation and views on the book, which was rather...dull. (Audio book version btw, no time to read anymore) "
— Matthew, 7/16/2009Simon Blackburn is a professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of several books, including Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy, Truth: A Guide, and The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.