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The Republic of Plato, Book X: Edited as an Introduction to the Study of Plato's Philosophy
Excerpt from The Republic of Plato, Book X: Edited as an Introduction to the Study of Plato's Philosophy
The Editor feels that he must justify himself to those who may use this book, as well for producing what is intended to serve as an Introduction to the study of Plato's Philosophy, as for the particular selection made.
Dr. J owett in the preface which he has written to Mr. Purves' Selections from Plato discourages the pre mature study of philosophy. Sooner or later, how ever, the higher classical education leads those who follow after it into the loftier regions of metaphysics, where a guide or, in the last resource, a guide-book is indispensable. It is in the humbler capacity that this book offers itself, for so wide is the ground covered by Platonic literature 1 that, undirected, the explorer may soon lose himself. Nor is the Editor acquainted with any other book which definitely proposes to help the beginner. He could have wished that some one of riper knowledge had undertaken to do so, but he feels himself to possess for the task at least one qualification - a due estimate of his own powers as compared with great Platonists, past and present, which has constantly dissuaded departure from the beaten track.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
The Editor feels that he must justify himself to those who may use this book, as well for producing what is intended to serve as an Introduction to the study of Plato's Philosophy, as for the particular selection made.
Dr. J owett in the preface which he has written to Mr. Purves' Selections from Plato discourages the pre mature study of philosophy. Sooner or later, how ever, the higher classical education leads those who follow after it into the loftier regions of metaphysics, where a guide or, in the last resource, a guide-book is indispensable. It is in the humbler capacity that this book offers itself, for so wide is the ground covered by Platonic literature 1 that, undirected, the explorer may soon lose himself. Nor is the Editor acquainted with any other book which definitely proposes to help the beginner. He could have wished that some one of riper knowledge had undertaken to do so, but he feels himself to possess for the task at least one qualification - a due estimate of his own powers as compared with great Platonists, past and present, which has constantly dissuaded departure from the beaten track.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
157 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1988
About the author
Plato
5,656 books9,074 followersPlato (Greek: Πλάτων), born Aristocles (c. 427 – 348 BC), was an ancient Greek philosopher of the Classical period who is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms. He raised problems for what became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy, and was the founder of the Platonic Academy, a philosophical school in Athens where Plato taught the doctrines that would later become known as Platonism.
Plato's most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He was decisively influenced by the pre-Socratic thinkers Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although much of what is known about them is derived from Plato himself.
Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy. Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries. Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages. Through Neoplatonism, he also greatly influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy. In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato."
Plato's most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He was decisively influenced by the pre-Socratic thinkers Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although much of what is known about them is derived from Plato himself.
Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy. Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries. Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages. Through Neoplatonism, he also greatly influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy. In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 27, 2020
"All of Western philosophy is but a footnote to Plato." Alfred North Whitehead
Literary criticism begins with skeptical questions raised by Plato about the value of art, mainly discussed in "The Republic: Book X", and the defenders of literature have strived to remove this skepticism through the history.
Literary criticism begins with skeptical questions raised by Plato about the value of art, mainly discussed in "The Republic: Book X", and the defenders of literature have strived to remove this skepticism through the history.
May 23, 2023
Plato is judging artists for not being realistic and he is the one who is talking about idealism; however, I like Plato cause he is so convincing that he makes me agree with him but I hate him for making me feel as if I'm Glaucon or Ion that's not fair!!
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March 25, 2026(introduction to literary theory)
December 25, 2023
Amusing.
Tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
2 stars. 💛 Heart
Tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
2 stars. 💛 Heart
March 7, 2022
eu tbm odeio poetas
June 17, 2022
3 stars because I want ALL kinds of poets to have a place in the republic
March 24, 2023
estic de Plató farta ja
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews