Academics
Translated by John Llewelyn Davies and David James Vaughan. With an Introduction by Stephen Watt. The ideas of Plato (c429-347BC) have influenced Western philosophers for over two thousand years. Such is his importance that the twentieth-century philosopher A.N. Whitehead described all subsequent developments within the subject as foot-notes to Plato's work. Beyond philosophy, he has exerted a major influence on the development of Western literature, politics and theology. The Republic deals with the great range of Plato's thought, but is particularly concerned with what makes a well-balanced society and individual. It combines argument and myth to advocate a life organized by reason rather than dominated by desires and appetites. Regarded by some as the foundation document of totalitarianism, by others as a call to develop the full potential of humanity, the Republic remains a challenging and intensely exciting work.
Born c. 428 bc, Plato, amongst the most influential philosophers of Classical Greece, played a major role in shaping Western thought. A student of the famed philosopher Socrates, he was the teacher of the equally influential philosopher Aristotle, a student at the Academy founded by Plato. Considered the world's first university of philosophy, the Academy is where Plato propagated his philosophical ideas. The first to relate philosophy with polity, Plato is known for his Dialogues, considered to mark the beginning of Western philosophy. Some of his influential works are Republic (380 bc), Apology (399 bc) and Symposium (c. 380-375 bc). His major ideas include Platonic Love, Theory of Mimesis and Plato's Cave. Plato is believed to have died c. 424 bc, and is buried in the grounds of his Academy.
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