The Republic: The Influential Classic: 16

PHILOSOPHY’S MOST INFLUENTIAL TEXT

Despite being over 16 centuries old, The Republic still has much to say about what it means to live a good life today. On the surface the book lays out Plato’s plan for a perfect society, but The Republic is also an extended metaphor for individual human potential. Plato’s ideal state or society is characterised by wisdom, courage, self-discipline and justice; qualities that also motivate and shape a well-balanced person someone who is ‘just’ or good.

This keepsake edition includes an introduction by philosophy and personal development scholar Tom Butler-Bowdon, drawing out lessons for the contemporary reader, and showing the power of The Republic as a guide for success today.

Plato was a classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens. Along with Socrates and Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy and science.

Tom Butler-Bowdon is the author of five bestselling books on classic self-help and motivational writing. He has been described by USA Today as ‘a true scholar of this type of literature’. Tom has also written introductions to the other editions in the Capstone Classics series.