Plato's Introduction to the Question of Justice
Will be published approx. on 2. November 2000
Book
Hardback
152 pages
978-0-7914-4745-1 (ISBN)
Description
An in-depth investigation of the views of justice present in the opening sections of Plato's Republic.
Plato's Introduction to the Question of Justice uncovers the heart of the Platonic analysis of justice by focusing on the crucial opening sections of the Republic. Stauffer argues that the dialectical confrontations with ordinary opinion presented in these sections provide the basis for Plato's view of justice, and that they also help to show how Plato's thought remains relevant today, especially as a rival to Kantianism.
Plato's Introduction to the Question of Justice uncovers the heart of the Platonic analysis of justice by focusing on the crucial opening sections of the Republic. Stauffer argues that the dialectical confrontations with ordinary opinion presented in these sections provide the basis for Plato's view of justice, and that they also help to show how Plato's thought remains relevant today, especially as a rival to Kantianism.
Reviews / Votes
"This book provides a truly illuminating interpretation of the foundations of the Platonic analysis of justice in the Republic. The crucial arguments in Book One of the Republic are explicated with meticulous attention to detail, and the far-reaching implications are spelled out with thought-provoking clarity. This book will prove an indispensable guide to that much read and much studied classic text." - Thomas L. Pangle, coauthor of Justice Among Nations: On the Moral Basis of Power and Peace"Stauffer's introduction engages the reader's serious concern from the start by exploring the shortcomings of postmodern approaches to justice, elaborating the stronger approach of Kant while showing what reasonable considerations it excludes, and so leading back to Plato's inquiry as a promising alternative. This book is uncommonly well-written and powerfully argued." - James H. Nichols, Jr., translator of Plato's Gorgias
"Stauffer brings extraordinary clarity and dazzling insight to a seemingly familiar text. I have studied and taught the Republic, especially Book One, for over twenty years and Stauffer's book has taught me to see that book afresh. It has revealed to me wholly new dimensions of the dialogue." - Peter J. Ahrensdorf, author of The Death of Socrates and the Life of Philosophy: An Interpretation of Plato's Phaedo
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 148 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-4745-1 (9780791447451)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Devin Stauffer is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kenyon College.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Opening of the Question of Justice: Socrates' Exchanges with Cephalus and Polemarchus
Socrates' Objection to Cephalus' View of Justice
Polemarchus' Defense of His Inheritance and the Question of Owed and Fitting
Socrates' Three-Part Critique of Justice as Helping Friends and Harming Enemies
2. Thrasymachus and the Question of the Goodness of Justice
The Opening Exchange Between Thrasymachus and Socrates
Thrasymachus' Definition of Justice
Rulers in the Strict Sense
Thrasymachus' Attack on Justice: The Shephard Speech and Its Aftermath
Socrates' Three-Argument Defense of Justice
3. Glaucon and Adeimantus and Justice as the Proper Order of the Soul
Glaucon's and Adeimantus' Speeches
Justice as the Proper Order of the Soul
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
1. The Opening of the Question of Justice: Socrates' Exchanges with Cephalus and Polemarchus
Socrates' Objection to Cephalus' View of Justice
Polemarchus' Defense of His Inheritance and the Question of Owed and Fitting
Socrates' Three-Part Critique of Justice as Helping Friends and Harming Enemies
2. Thrasymachus and the Question of the Goodness of Justice
The Opening Exchange Between Thrasymachus and Socrates
Thrasymachus' Definition of Justice
Rulers in the Strict Sense
Thrasymachus' Attack on Justice: The Shephard Speech and Its Aftermath
Socrates' Three-Argument Defense of Justice
3. Glaucon and Adeimantus and Justice as the Proper Order of the Soul
Glaucon's and Adeimantus' Speeches
Justice as the Proper Order of the Soul
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index