Plato The Republic

"The Republic" deals with almost the whole range of Plato's thought, but is particularly concerned with what makes a well-balanced society and individual. It combines argument with myth to advocate a life organized by reason rather than dominated by leisures and appetites.

Translated by John Llewelyn Davies and David James Vaughan. With an Introduction by Stephen Watt.

The ideas of Plato (c429-347BC) have influenced Western philosophers for over two thousand years. Such is his importance that the twentieth-century philosopher A.N. Whitehead described all subsequent developments within the subject as foot-notes to Plato's work. Beyond philosophy, he has exerted a major influence on the development of Western literature, politics and theology.

The Republic deals with the great range of Plato's thought, but is particularly concerned with what makes a well-balanced society and individual. It combines argument and myth to advocate a life organized by reason rather than dominated by desires and appetites. Regarded by some as the foundation document of totalitarianism, by others as a call to develop the full potential of humanity, the Republic remains a challenging and intensely exciting work.