Plato is the best known and most widely studied of all the ancient Greek philosophers. Malcolm Schofield, a leading scholar of ancient philosophy, offers a lucid and accessible guide to Plato's political thought, enormously influential and much discussed in the modern world as well as the ancient. Schofield discusses Plato's ideas on education, democracy and its shortcomings, the role of knowledge in government, utopia and the idea of community, money and its grip on the psyche, and ideological uses of religion.
Introduction ; 1. The Republic: contexts and projects ; 2. Athens, democracy, and freedom ; 3. Problematizing democracy ; 4. The rule of knowledge ; 5. Utopia ; 6. Money and the soul ; 7. Ideology ; Conclusion
This is a thoughful and illuminating discussion of a complex and intensely debated topic... this book seems to me highly successful, both in offering a very accessible treatment for readers of different backgrounds and in probing new and promising lines of enquiry.
Malcolm Schofield, and Fellow of St John's College) Schofield, Malcolm (Emeritus Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Cambridge, SCHOFIELD, Schofield
Gianfranco Poggi, Florence) Poggi, Gianfranco (Professor of Political and Social Theory, Professor of Political and Social Theory, European University Institute
Cheryl Welch, Boston) Welch, Cheryl (Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Simmons College, Cheryl B. Welch
Malcolm Schofield, and Fellow of St John's College) Schofield, Malcolm (Emeritus Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Cambridge, SCHOFIELD, Schofield
Gianfranco Poggi, Florence) Poggi, Gianfranco (Professor of Political and Social Theory, Professor of Political and Social Theory, European University Institute