Plato On The Limits Of Human Life

“A book that is an ambitious, well-researched and provocative scholarly reflection on soul in the Platonic corpus.” —Polis By focusing on the immortal character of the soul in key Platonic dialogues, Sara Brill shows how Plato thought of the soul as remarkably flexible, complex, and indicative of the inner workings of political life and institutions. As she explores the character of the soul, Brill reveals the corrective function that law and myth serve. If the soul is limitless, she claims, then the city must serve a regulatory or prosthetic function and prop up good political institutions against the threat of the soul’s excess. Brill’s sensitivity to dramatic elements and discursive strategies in Plato’s dialogues illuminates the intimate connection between city and soul. “Sara Brill takes on at least two significant issues in Platonic scholarship: the nature of the soul, and especially the language of immortality in its description, and the relationship between politics and psychology. She treats each one of these topics in a fresh and nuanced way. Her writing is beautiful and fluid.” —Marina McCoy, Boston College

With The Tragedy and Comedy of Life, Seth Benardete completes his examination of Plato's understanding of the beautiful, the just, and the good. Benardete first treated the beautiful in The Being of the Beautiful (1984), which dealt with the Theaetetus, Sophist, and Statesman; and he treated the just in Socrates Second Sailing (1989), which dealt with the Republic and sought to determine the just in its relation to the beautiful and the good. Benardete focuses in this volume on the good as discussed in the Philebus, which is widely regarded as one of Plato's most complex dialogues. Traditionally, the Philebus is interpreted as affirming the supposedly Platonic doctrine that the good resides in thought and mind rather than in pleasure or the body. Benardete challenges this view, arguing that Socrates vindicates the life of the mind over against the life of pleasure not by separating the two and advocating a strict asceticism, but by mixing pleasure and pain with mind in such a way that the philosophic life emerges as the only possible human life. Socrates accomplishes this by making use of two principles - the limited and the unlimited - and shows that the very possibility of philosophy requires not just the limited but also the unlimited, for the unlimited permeates the entirety of life as well as the endless perplexity of thinking itself. Benardete combines a probing and challenging commentary that subtly mirrors and illumines the complexities of this extraordinarily difficult dialogue with the finest English translation of the Philebus yet available. The result is a work that will be of great value to classicists, philosophers, and political theorists alike.

Argues that the preoccupation with eternity is foundational to all philosophy. This book fills in a gap by outlining the ways that Plato and Socrates talk about life and death. It focuses entirely on how death and eternity are integral thematic components of the Platonic dialogues.

Introduction for the general reader, presenting the Greek philosopher's teachings as provocative source of contemporary ideas.

Plato’s Pragmatism offers the first comprehensive defense of a pragmatist reading of Plato. According to Plato, the ultimate rational goal is not to accumulate knowledge and avoid falsehood but rather to live an excellent human life. The book contends that a pragmatic outlook is present throughout the Platonic corpus. The authors argue that the successful pursuit of a good life requires cultivating certain ethical commitments, and that maintaining these commitments often requires violating epistemic norms. In the course of defending the pragmatist interpretation, the authors present a forceful Platonic argument for the conclusion that the value of truth has its limits, and that what matters most are one’s ethical commitments and the courage to live up to them. Their interpretation has far-reaching consequences in that it reshapes how we understand the relationship between Plato’s ethics and epistemology. Plato’s Pragmatism will appeal to scholars and advanced students of Plato and ancient philosophy. It will also be of interest to those working on current controversies in ethics and epistemology

Free Audible: https: //www.youtube.com/@AncientWisdom888/videos **"The Republic: Unveiling the Blueprint for a Just Utopia"** Plato's "The Republic" is a fiery crucible of intellectual brilliance, where the flames of Socratic dialogue forge a visionary blueprint for the ideal society. At its core, this timeless masterpiece challenges the very fabric of human existence, posing profound questions that continue to haunt our collective conscience. Within its hallowed pages, Plato unravels the nature of justice, daring us to peer into the abyss of moral ambiguity and emerge with a newfound understanding of righteousness. He envisions a city-state where philosopher-kings, guided by reason and virtue, reign supreme, transcending the limits of ordinary governance. But "The Republic" is not just a treatise on governance; it's a passionate exploration of the human soul. It delves deep into the caverns of our desires, exposing the shadows that cloud our judgment. Plato's allegory of the cave becomes a piercing metaphor for our society's hypnotic attachment to the illusions of perception, beckoning us to break free and embrace the light of truth. In this utopian symposium, Plato contemplates the role of women, the challenges of education, and the power of art to shape the moral fiber of a civilization. He unveils the perilous descent from democracy to tyranny, a warning echoing through the annals of history. "The Republic" is not a mere book; it's a call to action. It demands that we question the status quo, that we seek wisdom over indulgence, and that we aspire to justice even in the face of moral ambiguity. It is an incendiary manifesto for those who dare to dream of a more just, enlightened, and virtuous world. Plato's magnum opus beckons, inviting us to step into the fiery crucible of philosophical inquiry and forge a brighter future for humanity. With this release of the newly translated version of Plato's "The Republic," we embark on a voyage that intertwines the wisdom of the past with the innovations of the future. Join us as we explore the realms of ancient Greece, guided by the astute collaboration between Plato and the AI that translated it to modern English. "Philosophy is the compass of the mind, guiding us through the uncharted waters of existence, where every question is a star in the endless night sky of human curiosity." ChatGPT 29 September 2023

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Journey into the heart of ancient philosophy with Plato's timeless dialogue, "Phaedo." In this profound exploration of life, death, and the nature of the soul, Plato invites readers to join Socrates and his disciples on a philosophical quest that transcends the boundaries of time and space. Set on the eve of Socrates' execution, "Phaedo" unfolds as a poignant meditation on mortality and the immortality of the soul. As Socrates faces his impending death with unwavering serenity and wisdom, he engages in a series of dialogues that probe the deepest mysteries of existence, offering profound insights into the nature of reality and the human condition. Through eloquent prose and rigorous dialectic, Plato invites readers to contemplate the eternal truths that lie beyond the veil of mortality, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and embrace the transcendent beauty of the soul. With each turn of the page, "Phaedo" challenges us to grapple with life's ultimate questions and seek meaning amidst the impermanence of earthly existence. More than a philosophical treatise, "Phaedo" is a testament to the enduring power of ideas and the transformative potential of intellectual inquiry. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or a curious seeker of wisdom, Plato's timeless dialogue will inspire you to ponder the mysteries of life and embark on a journey of self-discovery that transcends the bounds of mortal flesh. Join Socrates and his disciples on a quest for truth that will resonate across the ages, and discover the timeless wisdom of "Phaedo."