The Transformation of Plato's Republic

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book The Transformation of Plato's Republic by Kenneth Dorter, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kenneth Dorter ISBN: 9780739151518
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: December 22, 2005
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Kenneth Dorter
ISBN: 9780739151518
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: December 22, 2005
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

Author Ken Dorter, in a passage-by-passage analysis traces Plato's depiction of how the most basic forms of human functioning and social justice contain the seed of their evolution into increasingly complex structures, as well as the seed of their degeneration. Dorter also traces Plato's tendency to begin an investigation with models based on rigid distinctions for the sake of clarity, which are subsequently transformed into more fluid conceptions that no longer sacrifice complexity and subtlety for clarity. It's the author's claim that virtually every positive doctrine put forward in the dialogue is problematized somewhere else in the dialogue. This accounts for the apparent incoherence among various parts of the Republic. The dramatic changes of style and content after Books 1, 4, 7, and 9 give it an appearance of being a pastiche of material written at different times, as it is often interpreted. Dorter locates an underlying structure that explains these changes. It is widely recognized that the dialogue is organized symmetrically in the form of an arch, with the beginning and end sharing related themes, the second and penultimate sections sharing other related themes, and so on until the forward series and the reverse series meet in the middle of the dialogue. Dorter's original claim is that the symmetrical segments of the arch reflect the levels of the 'Divided Line.' Dorter contends that the overall organization of the Republic can be seen to illustrate and imitate the philosophers' ascent from the cave, and their subsequent return to it with altered perspectives. This erudite, salient, and expansive new look at Plato's Republic is essential for philosophy, political theorists, and anyone interested in Plato scholarship.

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

Author Ken Dorter, in a passage-by-passage analysis traces Plato's depiction of how the most basic forms of human functioning and social justice contain the seed of their evolution into increasingly complex structures, as well as the seed of their degeneration. Dorter also traces Plato's tendency to begin an investigation with models based on rigid distinctions for the sake of clarity, which are subsequently transformed into more fluid conceptions that no longer sacrifice complexity and subtlety for clarity. It's the author's claim that virtually every positive doctrine put forward in the dialogue is problematized somewhere else in the dialogue. This accounts for the apparent incoherence among various parts of the Republic. The dramatic changes of style and content after Books 1, 4, 7, and 9 give it an appearance of being a pastiche of material written at different times, as it is often interpreted. Dorter locates an underlying structure that explains these changes. It is widely recognized that the dialogue is organized symmetrically in the form of an arch, with the beginning and end sharing related themes, the second and penultimate sections sharing other related themes, and so on until the forward series and the reverse series meet in the middle of the dialogue. Dorter's original claim is that the symmetrical segments of the arch reflect the levels of the 'Divided Line.' Dorter contends that the overall organization of the Republic can be seen to illustrate and imitate the philosophers' ascent from the cave, and their subsequent return to it with altered perspectives. This erudite, salient, and expansive new look at Plato's Republic is essential for philosophy, political theorists, and anyone interested in Plato scholarship.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Paradoxes of Liberalism and Parental Authority by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book George W. Bush and China by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Market New Products Successfully by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Language, Memory, and Identity in the Middle East by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Debating Security in Turkey by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book The Future of Religious Minorities in the Middle East by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Sinclair Lewis and American Democracy by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Russian Tales of Demonic Possession by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Heidegger's Path to Language by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book The Eroticization of Distance by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Thomas Aquinas on Persuasion by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book In Search of Humanity by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Wisdom by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Religious Rhetoric by Kenneth Dorter
Cover of the book Mediation, Conciliation, and Emotions by Kenneth Dorter
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