Plato's Laws Force and Truth in Politics [Paperback]

Readers of Plato have often neglected the Laws because of its length and density. In this set of interpretive essays, notable scholars of the Laws from the fields of classics, history, philosophy, and political science offer a collective close reading of the dialogue book by book and reflect on the work as a whole. In their introduction, editors Gregory Recco and Eric Sanday explore the connections among the essays and the dramatic and productive exchanges between the contributors. This volume fills a major gap in studies on Platos dialogues by addressing the cultural and historical context of the Laws and highlighting their importance to contemporary scholarship.

This volume fills a major gap in studies on Platos dialogues by addressing the cultural and historical context of the Laws and highlighting their importance to contemporary scholarship.[T]he collection [is] interesting and thought provoking. In particular, it draws attention to sections of the dialogue that are easily overlooked and usefully highlights the role of contingent factors in Platos political thought.A diverse set of intelligent and original essays on the Laws featuring some of the best names in American scholarship.

Gregory Recco is a tutor at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Eric Sanday is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky.

An outstanding collection . . . that will inspire others . . . to begin to take the Laws as seriously as they should.

Introduction
1. On Reading the Laws as a Whole: Horizon, Vision, and Structure
Mitchell Miller
2. 'E and the Laws in Historical Context
Mark Munn
3. The Long and Winding Road: Impediments to Inquiry in Book One of the Laws
Eric Salem
4. Education in Platos Laws
John Russon
5. On Beginning after the Beginning
John Sallis
6. It is Difficult for a City with Good Laws to Come into Existence: On Book 4
Michael Zuckert
7. He Saw the Cities and He Knew the Minds of Many Mel“$