Plato's Political Philosophy

Plato's Political Philosophy by Blitz, Mark. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780801897658.

This comprehensive, yet compact, introduction examines Platos understanding of law, justice, virtue, and the connection between politics and philosophy. Focusing on three of Platos dialogues―The Laws, The Republic, and The Statesman―Mark Blitz lays out the philosophers principal interests in government and the strength and limit of the law, the connection between law and piety, the importance of founding, and the status and limits of political knowledge. He examines all of Platos discussions of politics and virtues, comments on specific dialogues, and discusses the philosophers explorations of beauty, pleasure, good, and the relations between politics and reason. Throughout, Blitz reinforces Platos emphasis on clear and rigorous reasoning in ethics and political life and explains in straightforward language the valuable lessons one can draw from examining Platos writings. The only introduction to Plato that both gathers his separate discussions of politically relevant topics and pays close attention to the context and structure of his dialogues, this volume directly contrasts the modern view of politics with that of the ancient master. It is an excellent companion to Platos Dialogues.