Author: Julia Annas
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 109
ISBN/UPC (if available): 019280216X
Description
This book introduces Plato’s many-sided and elusive genius in a way that is stimulating and accessible. In ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and theory of knowledge, Plato’s wide-ranging, bold, and influential ideas still challenge us today.
Few philosophers have been more intent on vigorous philosophizing than Plato. But none has matched the imagination and creativity with which he engages readers and entices them to join him in philosophical conversation.
REVIEWS
A thoroughly good idea. Snappy, small format…stylish design…perfect to pop into your pocket for spare moments.
-Lisa Jardine, The Times
A very good idea, these Very Short Introductions, a new concept from OUP.
-Nicholas Lezard, Guardian
Annas’s sparkling and beautifully illustrated little book manages to convey with splendid clarity, and with no observable rush or compression, not only what Platonic writing is like (brilliant, challenging, elusive), and how the dialogues have historically been read, but above all of why Plato matters for the modern reader.
-Christopher Rowe, University of Durham
Contents
List of illustrations
Arguing with Plato
Plato’s name and other matters
Drama, fiction, and the elusive author
Love, sex, gender, and philosophy
Virtue, in me and in my society
My soul and myself
The nature of things
References
Further reading
Index