Comprehensive Study of Plato (Hardcover)  | Released: 2002

Plato (428 B.C.-347 B.C.) was one of greatest philosophers in the western philosophical tradition. He was the pupil of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle and founder of the 'Academy'. Central to his teachings is the notion of forms, which are located outside the everyday world, timeless, motionless and absolutely real. Plato's philosophy rejects scientific rationalism in favour of arguments. According to him, mind, not matter, is fundamental and material objects are merely imperfect copies of abstract and eternal 'ideas'. The majority of his works are in dialogue form on topics like metaphysics, ethics & politics. The principal speaker in these works in Socrates. The republic, one of most famous dialogues deals with justice, ideal type of state jurisprudence & the concept of 'Good'. The present book is an excellent companion to Plato's life & philosophy. Plato's views on State, Justice, Communism, Education, Democracy and Foreign Relations etc. are discussed and analysed in detail. It includes comparison between the Republic and the Laws and Plato's Contribution to the History of Political Thought. In the end of the book original text of Republic of Plato and the original text of Plato in the Academy Forms and Numbers by A.E. Taylor have been given. A topic on Socrates and a chronological Table depicting the important events that took place during the lifetime of Plato have also been included in the book.Table of Contents: 1. The Life of Plato; 2. The Platonic Writings : The Republic The Statesman The Laws; 3. The Method of Plato's Dialogues; 4. Character of Plato's Thought; 5. Plato's Ideal State; 6. Plato's Conception of Justice; 7. Plato on the Rule of Philosophy; 8. Plato's Theory of Communism; 9. A Textual Study of Plato's Communism; 10. Plato on Education; 11. Plato on Functional Specialisation; 12. Decline of the Ideal State; 13. Elements of Individualism in Plato; 14. Plato and the Idea of the Good; 15. Plato on Democracy; 16. The Hellenic and Universal in Plato; 17. The Politicus or The Statesman of Plato; 18. The Laws of Plato; 19. The Theory of the State in the Laws; 20. Comparison Between the Republic and the Laws; 21. Plato as a Fascist; 22. Plato as Inductive and Deductive Philosopher; 23. The Influence of Socrates on Plato; 24. Plato on Foreign Relations; 25. Plato's Contribution to the History of Political Thought; 26. Estimate of Plato; AppendicesAppendix-1 : Republic of Plato By A.E. Taylor; Appendix-II : Plato in the Academy Forms and Numbers By A.E. Taylor; Appendix-III : Socrates; Appendix-IV : Chronological Table; Bibliography; Index