Sophist and Statesman: Two Dialogues (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780486813448)

These two dialogues by the greatest of the ancient Greek philosophers explore a vital concern of a democratic society: how to define the special abilities and qualities that make a genuine statesman. They further examine the distinction between an authentic statesman and the sophist, an individual who pretends to be a statesman but lacks the essential knowledge, personal qualities, and philosophical outlook.
Written after Parmenides -- in which the philosopher condemned his own theory of separate, immaterial forms -- Sophist and Statesman are of special interest in terms of their reflection of Plato's conceptions of method and metaphysics. In addition, Statesman provides a transitional view of the author's political philosophy in the period between the Republic and the Laws. Together, the dialogues illuminate Plato's growing preoccupation with practical knowledge, offering a more informal and pragmatic approach than his earlier works. This edition features the acclaimed translations by Benjamin Jowett.

Author: Plato
ISBN-10: 0486813444
ISBN-13: 9780486813448
Publisher: Dover Publications
Language: English
Published: 02/15/2018
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.20lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.00w x 0.40d