Plato as Critical Theorist

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Plato as Critical Theorist by Jonny Thakkar, Harvard University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jonny Thakkar ISBN: 9780674919600
Publisher: Harvard University Press Publication: May 14, 2018
Imprint: Harvard University Press Language: English
Author: Jonny Thakkar
ISBN: 9780674919600
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Publication: May 14, 2018
Imprint: Harvard University Press
Language: English

What is the best possible society? How would its rulers govern and its citizens behave? Such questions are sometimes dismissed as distractions from genuine political problems, but in an era when political idealism seems a relic of the past, says Jonny Thakkar, they are more urgent than ever. A daring experiment in using ancient philosophy to breathe life into our political present, Plato as Critical Theorist takes seriously one of Plato’s central claims: that philosophers should rule. What many accounts miss is the intimate connection between Plato’s politics and his metaphysics, Thakkar argues. Philosophy is the activity of articulating how parts and wholes best fit together, while ruling is the activity that shapes the parts of society into a coherent whole conducive to the good life. Plato’s ideal society is thus one in which ideal theory itself plays a leading role. Today’s liberal democracies require not philosopher-kings legislating from above but philosopher-citizens willing to work toward a vision of the best society in their daily lives. Against the claim that such idealism is inherently illiberal, Thakkar shows that it is fully compatible with the liberal theories of both Popper and Rawls while nevertheless pushing beyond them in providing a new vantage point for the Marxian critique of capitalism.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

What is the best possible society? How would its rulers govern and its citizens behave? Such questions are sometimes dismissed as distractions from genuine political problems, but in an era when political idealism seems a relic of the past, says Jonny Thakkar, they are more urgent than ever. A daring experiment in using ancient philosophy to breathe life into our political present, Plato as Critical Theorist takes seriously one of Plato’s central claims: that philosophers should rule. What many accounts miss is the intimate connection between Plato’s politics and his metaphysics, Thakkar argues. Philosophy is the activity of articulating how parts and wholes best fit together, while ruling is the activity that shapes the parts of society into a coherent whole conducive to the good life. Plato’s ideal society is thus one in which ideal theory itself plays a leading role. Today’s liberal democracies require not philosopher-kings legislating from above but philosopher-citizens willing to work toward a vision of the best society in their daily lives. Against the claim that such idealism is inherently illiberal, Thakkar shows that it is fully compatible with the liberal theories of both Popper and Rawls while nevertheless pushing beyond them in providing a new vantage point for the Marxian critique of capitalism.

More books from Harvard University Press

Cover of the book The Right to Do Wrong by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Boston’s Massacre by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book To Forgive Design by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Regional Advantage by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Beyond Greek by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book The Policy State by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Aiming for Pensacola by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book The Force of Law by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Expulsions by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Hearing Things by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Life at the Edge of Sight by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Transformation of the African American Intelligentsia, 1880–2012 by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Stateless Commerce by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book Thinking and Being by Jonny Thakkar
Cover of the book The Visible Hand by Jonny Thakkar
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy