This lively and accessible introduction to Plato focuses on the philosophy and argument of his writings, drawing the listener into Plato's way of doing philosophy, and the general themes of his thinking. This is not an audiobook to leave the listener standing in the outer court of introduction and background information, but leads directly into Plato's argument. It looks at Plato as a thinker grappling with philosophical problems in a variety of ways, rather than a philosopher with a fully worked-out system. It includes a brief account of Plato's life and the various interpretations that have been drawn from the sparse remains of information. It stresses the importance of the founding of the Academy and the conception of philosophy as a subject. Julia Annas discusses Plato's style of writing: His use of the dialogue form, his use of what we today call fiction, and his philosophical transformation of myths. She also looks at his discussions of love and philosophy, his attitude to women, and to homosexual love, explores Plato's claim that virtue is sufficient for happiness, and touches on his arguments for the immortality of the soul, and his ideas about the nature of the universe.
In a hurry? Listen to more Very Short Introductions.
©2003 Julia Annas (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
I listened to this book multiple times. I seriously could just be dumb. I totally and wholeheartedly agree with that. But I just wanted a good idea of what Plato was about, and even though the subject matter is quite difficult to explain I feel that I should have at least been able to grasp something. But I just couldn't so if you're really smart get but if you are not or are not in the mood to paste things together and listen multiple times do not get
Report Inappropriate Content