Plato's Ethics

This book traces the development of Plato's moral philosophy, from the Socratic dialogues to its fullest exposition in the Republic. It discusses Plato's reasons for abandoning or modifying some aspects of Socratic ethics, and for believing that he preserves Socrates' essential insights. A brief and selective discussion of the Statesman, Philebus, and Laws is included. This book will supersede Plato's Moral Theory (OUP, 1977) by providing a clearer and fuller account of all the important aspects of Plato's moral thought. It does not presuppose knowledge of Greek or any extensive knowledge of Plato.