Overview

The book will follow the general outline of the Reader's Guides series. It will begin by setting the work in context, giving a brief biography of Plato, examining his relationship with Socrates, discussing the relationship between the Republic and Plato's other works and introducing the Athenian institutions examined in the Republic. The major themes discussed in the Republic are introduced and discussed in brief, before embarking on a more detailed discussion of the key sections and passages in the Reading the Text section. Here, the author will outline and comment on the claims made in the key passages, suggesting criticism where appropriate and providing questions for further thought. (See Full Contents for further details) A section on Reception and Influence will discuss some of the numerous areas of subsequent thought the Republic has impacted upon, including Aristotle, Plato's influence on Kant's ehtics and Popper's virulent criticism of Plato as an 'enemy of the open society'. A section on Further Reading will contain advice on various translations of the Republic, a guide to some other useful commentaries on the text and information on books and articles about specific topics.