Republic

by Plato Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

The Republic is a Socratic dialogue by Plato, written in approximately 380 BC. It is one of the most influential works of philosophy and political theory, and arguably Plato's best known work. In it, Socrates and various other Athenians and foreigners discuss the meaning of justice and whether the just man is happier than the unjust man by constructing an imaginary city ruled by philosopher-kings. The dialogue also discusses the nature of the philosopher, Plato's Theory of Forms, the conflict between philosophy and poetry, and the immortality of the soul. (Summary from Wikipedia)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Robin Waterfield has produced an idiomatic, lively, and thoroughly up-to-date Englishing of Plato's Republic....Waterfield...succeeds beautifully...in making engaging English out of Plato's Greek. For this teachers of Greek philosophy owe him gratitude."—Ancient Philosophy

"Waterfield's translation is certainly the best of the Republic available. It is accurate and informed by deep philosophical understanding of the text; unlike other translations it combines these virtues with an impressive ability to render Plato into English that is as varied and expressive as is Plato's Greek."— Professor Julia Annas, University of Arizona

"Translated in an easy, accessible style, as though these were people, not textbooks speaking. The introduction is lucid and complete."—E.N. Genovese, San Diego State University

"An excellent translation and introduction. The best I have seen."—Tom Christenson, Capital University

P.C. Kemeny

This superior translation has an engaging, constructive tone. For introductory students with little or no historical background with which to appreciate the nuances of Plato's Republic, Tschemplik clearly sets the historical context and identifies the characters.

DEC/JAN 02 - AudioFile

Plato’s musings on how society should function, as well as the nature of the people who inhabit society, is read by Bruce Alexander in this abridgment. The recording and Alexander’s performance are flawless. A veteran Shakespearean actor, Alexander has a voice that is rich and versatile in portraying each of the speakers in this dialogue. His accent also has an air of authority. He makes one suppose that the ancient Greek philosophers went to Oxford. This work is really delightful to hear as one follows the course of Socrates’ arguments and the questions thrown at him by the Athenians. The packaging is sturdy, and the enclosed outline is most helpful. Music at the beginning and end of each side does not distract from the performance. A wonderful introduction to Plato. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169071986
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014
Sales rank:	237,794

Read an Excerpt

Socrates: I went down yesterday to Piraeus with Glaucon, Ariston’s son, to pray to the goddess, wanting at the same time also to see the way they were going to hold the festival, since they were now conducting it for the first time. The parade of the local residents seemed to me to be beautiful, while the one that the Thracians put on looked no less appropriate. And having prayed and having seen, we went off toward the city. Spotting us from a distance then as we headed home, Polemarchus, Cephalus’s son, ordered his slave to run and order us to wait for him. And grabbing me from behind by my cloak, the slave said “Polemarchus orders you to wait.” And I turned around and asked him where the man himself was. “He’s coming along from behind,” he said. “Just wait.” “Certainly we’ll wait” said Glaucon.

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