Plato Political Philosophy [Paperback]

Plato is the best known and most widely studied of all the ancient Greek philosophers. Malcolm Schofield, a leading scholar of ancient philosophy, offers a lucid and accessible guide to Plato's political thought, enormously influential and much discussed in the modern world as well as the ancient. Schofield discusses Plato's ideas on education, democracy and its shortcomings, the role of knowledge in government, utopia and the idea of community, money and its grip on the psyche, and ideological uses of religion.

Introduction
1. TheRepublic: contexts and projects
2. Athens, democracy, and freedom
3. Problematizing democracy
4. The rule of knowledge
5. Utopia
6. Money and the soul
7. Ideology
Conclusion

Students of Plato who pick up this book are in for a treat. --Rachana Kamtekar,The Review of Metaphysics

Schofield has written an imaginative scholarly work that is a wonderful introduction to many of the essential questions in political philosophy. By engaging Plato's thought into historical conversations with thinkers across the years (from Proclus to Rousseau to Mill to Rawls), Schofield situates Plato's ideas into a rich and interactive context. This work is highly recommended for scholars and students alike. --Michael Boylan, Marymount University

Malcolm Schofield has written an outstanding overview and critical assessment of Plato's political philosophy.... There is no better way to enter this aspect of Plato's though than to read this fine contribution to the series, Founders of Modern Political and Social Thought, edited by Mark Philip.... It will endure as an indispensable guide not only to its principal subject--theRepublic--but to all of Plato's political writings, and to their enduring interest today. --Richard Kraut,Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews