Plato.
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The perfect books for the true book lover, Penguin's Great Ideas series features twelve more groundbreaking works by some of history's most prodigious thinkers. Each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-driven design that highlights the bookmaker's art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped our world.
Plato's
...2) The Republic
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Plato's most famous work and the bedrock of Western philosophy
Written in the form of a Socratic dialogue, The Republic is an investigation into the nature of an ideal society. In this far-reaching and profoundly influential treatise, Plato explores the concept of justice, the connection between politics and psychology, the difference between words and what they represent, and the roles of art and education, among many other topics....
Written in the form of a Socratic dialogue, The Republic is an investigation into the nature of an ideal society. In this far-reaching and profoundly influential treatise, Plato explores the concept of justice, the connection between politics and psychology, the difference between words and what they represent, and the roles of art and education, among many other topics....
3) Gorgias
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In "Gorgias," Plato explores the nature of rhetoric and its ethical implications. Through dialogues involving Socrates, Gorgias, and other characters, the text delves into the art of persuasion, morality, and the pursuit of true knowledge. It challenges the superficial use of rhetoric and advocates for virtue as the foundation of a just society. Read in English, unabridged.
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Dive into the timeless wisdom of one of history's greatest philosophers with "Plato's Apology" available now as an engaging audiobook. In this profound work, Plato offers a firsthand account of Socrates' defense during his trial, providing insights into the nature of justice, wisdom, and the pursuit of truth.
Through the eloquent dialogue and compelling narrative, listeners will be transported to ancient Athens, where Socrates faces accusations of...
5) Timaeus
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Timaeus, a philosophical dialogue by Plato, delves into the nature of the physical world and its divine origins. It presents a cosmological narrative, discussing the creation of the universe, the role of the demiurge, and the essence of the soul. Timaeus offers profound insights into metaphysics and the interconnectedness of the material and divine realms. Read in English, unabridged.
6) Apology
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Apology by Plato is a crucial Socratic dialogue that provides an understanding of the philosopher's own views on the trial and execution of Socrates. The work serves as a defence speech given by Socrates as he attempts to persuade the court of his innocence. By providing an insight into his philosophical beliefs, Plato uses the Apology to articulate his teacher's thoughts on justice, virtue, piety and moral responsibility. Read in English, unabridged....
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Hippias of Elis travels throughout the Greek world practicing and teaching the art of making beautiful speeches. On a rare visit to Athens, he meets Socrates, who questions him about the nature of his art. Socrates is especially curious about how Hippias would define beauty. They agree that beauty makes all beautiful things beautiful, but when Socrates presses him to say precisely what he means, Hippias is unable to deliver such a definition. The...
8) Parmenides
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"Parmenides" is one of Plato's dialogues in which the philosopher Parmenides visits Athens and engages in a philosophical conversation with a young Socrates. "Parmenides" is a complex and nuanced exploration of the nature of reality and the limits of human knowledge. Through the dialogue between Parmenides and Socrates, Plato explores the challenges of developing a coherent philosophical theory, as well as the importance of engaging in critical thinking...
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In Euthyphro, Socrates is on his way to the court, where he must defend himself against serious charges brought by religious and political authorities. On the way he meets Euthyphro, an expert on religious matters who has come to prosecute his own father. Socrates questions Euthyphro's claim that religion serves as the basis for ethics. Euthyphro is not able to provide satisfactory answers to Socrates' questions, but their dialogue leaves us with...
10) Phaedo
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Phaedo by Plato is a prolific work of philosophy that examines the relationship between the soul and immortality. The Socratic dialogue draws from the teachings of Socrates on his final day, when he was awaiting his execution, and examines the notion of an afterlife for the souls of those who have passed away. Read in English, unabridged.
11) Sophist
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In "Sophist," Plato explores the nature of sophistry and the elusive concept of being. Through engaging dialogues, the characters delve into the intricacies of language, existence, and the art of persuasion. The pursuit of truth and the examination of reality unfold in this philosophical exploration. Read in English, unabridged.
12) Charmides
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"Charmides" is a dialogue written by Plato that delves into the nature of wisdom and self-knowledge. The conversation takes place between Socrates and Charmides, a young man renowned for his beauty and noble heritage. Socrates challenges Charmides' claim to possess self-control or temperance, arguing that true self-knowledge requires an examination of one's own nature. This leads to a discussion on the nature of wisdom and how it is cultivated through...
13) Ion
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"Ion" is a dialogue by Plato that explores the nature of artistic inspiration and the role of the artist in society. The main character, Ion, is a rhapsode who specializes in reciting epic poetry by Homer. Socrates engages Ion in a conversation, and the discussion unfolds as Socrates questions Ion about the source of his ability to recite poetry. Socrates argues that Ion's talent is not the result of his own knowledge or expertise, but rather a divine...
14) Euthyphro
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Euthyphro is a classic text written by Plato that deals with the exploration of piety and justice. Through this work, Plato seeks to provide an answer for the question of what constitutes a just action and how one should evaluate actions that are considered pious or holy. In order to address this query, Plato utilizes his signature Socratic dialogue format in order to engage Euthyphro in a philosophical discussion about piety and its implications...
15) Philebus
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The dialogue centers around the nature of pleasure and its relationship to the good life. The two main interlocutors in the dialogue are Socrates and Philebus, a prominent Athenian intellectual. Throughout the dialogue, Socrates and Philebus engage in a complex and nuanced discussion about the nature of pleasure and its place in the good life. They explore questions such as whether pleasure is the ultimate good, whether there are different kinds of...
16) Phaedrus
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In "Phaedrus," Plato explores the nature of love, rhetoric, and the soul. Set in a scenic Athenian countryside, Socrates engages in a profound dialogue with Phaedrus, unraveling the complexities of love and its impact on the human spirit. The discourse delves into the art of persuasion and the immortality of the soul, offering timeless insights into the human condition and philosophical inquiry. Read in English, unabridged.
17) Meno
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Meno is a Platonic dialogue which addresses the question of whether virtue can be taught, and examines the concept of anamnesis. Through Socrates' questioning of Meno's slave, the dialogue suggests that knowledge is innate, with Socrates suggesting that all learning occurs through recollection of our prior knowledge rather than through instruction. Read in English, unabridged.
18) Statesman
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The text Statesman, by Plato, is a Socratic dialogue composed of several allegorical myths that aim to assess the qualifications of rulership and the properties of wisdom. Through his discourse with Socrates, Theaetetus strives to determine what exactly constitutes a statesman - seeking to find an answer which surpasses mere technical expertise. Read in English, unabridged.
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Take a seat in the court of ancient Athens as Socrates goes on trial for his life. Hear the philosopher face his accusers with his trademark wit, his cutting logic, and the courage of his ideals. Consider his arguments on virtue, justice, politics, civic duty, love of life, and hope in death, and make your own judgment.Think. Question. Change.
20) Lysis
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"Lysis" is a dialogue by Plato that explores the nature of friendship and the qualities that make it valuable. The dialogue is named after the main character, a young boy named Lysis, and is narrated by Socrates. Socrates encounters Lysis and his friend Menexenus, and begins to question them about the nature of their friendship. Lysis and Menexenus struggle to define what makes their friendship valuable, and Socrates suggests that perhaps they are...