Customer Reviews
The brilliant beginning of all philosophy
Plato's Republic is unquestionably the origin of philosophical lines of thought which are still undoubtedly relevant today. Written in dialogue form (i.e. like a discussion between many characters), the main exponent of the argument is Socrates, Plato's friend and mentor who was executed by the Athenian government - an event which led Plato to effectively denounce democracy as an impractical system. The Republic is the result of this denouncement: beginning with the philosophical question 'What is justice?', it proceeds to lay out the nature of the ideal state. Along the way, we are given Plato's legandary Theory of Forms, including the fantastically simple Simile of the Cave - a brilliant philosophical exposition of the difference between this world and the 'proper', 'real' world of which Earth is only a shadow. Desmond Lee's translation makes the very best of a particularly tricky task, and compromises on several key passages with effective authority. The main problem for the modern layman is in getting used to the Socratic form of argument in textual form - seeing Glaucon and Adeimantus answering with "Yes", "I agree" and "That's quite right" for 350-odd pages will drive anybody a little crazy after a while! That (very minor) nitpick aside, there are two excellent appendices regarding the philosophical passages in the text, plus a detailed bibliography for those who wish to follow up on the book. And it's worth it, believe you me.
Interesting, not life changing
The republic not only serves as a basis for western philosophy but is of central importance as a historical text. By observing staunch critics of Athenian society debate the nature of the ideal city, we come to understand precisely what Athens at the time was not like. By then noting all the specifics touched upon in the creation of this "kallipolis", we are provided with a subtle but vast account of how things actually were. Nevertheless, such politically colored views do not transfer so well into the actual philosophy. Plato, through the voice of Socrates, claims that he defines the city to help with the search for justice within the individual. More likely he is defining justice as a rationale for his elitist political views. So, as with anything powerful or important, treat this book with respect and fairness. Don't give the words more sanctity than they're due. Be prepared to sift through a considerable amount of semantics, wordplay, and blank assumptions before any of the gritty logical reasoning is found. Don't fall into the same trap of book's characters who are dazzled by Socrates' rhetoric. People will say that Plato is a genius- but that doesn't mean he can't make mistakes. All throughout the book there will be things that seem contradictory or illogical, and it doesn't make you stupid to think that Plato can be wrong. There are some fascinating and profound things that the careful reader can pull from this book, but as you read, keep in mind that Plato was a person and had his opinions like any other.
amazing. a must read for everyone
Just read it. Plato's idea shaped so many other's after him. If you don't understand what Plato was trying to say then you're doing yourself a disservice. Just in readin this, the reader realyl begins to think. You'll get better at thinking by the time the book is done, for this book teaches the reader how to think. All the ideas are presented in dialog, but if you can just look at what is being said you'll begin to understand. If you only read one thing, make it be this.
