The Republic: Republic of Plato

The Republic is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato, concerning the definition of justice, the order and character of the just city-state and the just man. This is Plato's best-known work and has proven to be one of the most intellectually and historically influential works of philosophy and political theory. In it, Socrates along with various Athenians and foreigners discuss the meaning of justice and examine whether or not the just man is happier than the unjust man. They consider a series of different cities coming into existence "in speech", culminating in a city called Kallipolis, which is ruled by philosopher-kings; and by examining the nature of existing regimes.During the conversation other questions are raised: what is goodness; what is reality; what is knowledge; what is the purpose of education? The participants also discuss the theory of forms, the immortality of the soul, and the roles of the philosopher and of poetry in societyA must-have for any library collection.