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For readers interested in philosophy and history

Reveals Plato's journey from politics to philosophy

You will gain insights into Plato's enduring influence

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Plato of Athens: A Life in Philosophy

Name: Plato of Athens: A Life in Philosophy
Price: 21.44 GBP
Availability: InStock
Author: Robin Waterfield (independent Scholar And Translator)
ISBN: 9780197564752

A Life in Philosophy

by Robin Waterfield (independent Scholar And Translator)

Hardback
296 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press
15.6 x 23.5 x 2.8 cm

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Bookmark this item

For readers interested in philosophy and history

Reveals Plato's journey from politics to philosophy

You will gain insights into Plato's enduring influence

This biography explores the life and philosophy of Plato, the founder of Western thought.

Our Mission

Equipping you for life's journey with Jesus:

Now a team of 60 – we've been serving the Church since 2004
Together we've raised over £1,000,000 for UK Christian charities
25,000 churches are using the Eden Plus account

Free delivery on orders over £10

The first ever biography of the founder of Western philosophy Considered by many to be the most important philosopher ever, Plato was born into a well-to-do family in wartime Athens at the end of the fifth century BCE. In his teens, he honed his intellect by attending lectures from the many thinkers who passed through Athens and toyed with the idea of writing poetry. He finally decided to go into politics, but became disillusioned, especially after the Athenians condemned his teacher, Socrates, to death. Instead, Plato turned to writing and teaching. He began teaching in his twenties and later founded the Academy, the world's first higher-educational research and teaching establishment. Eventually, he returned to practical politics and spent a considerable amount of time and energy trying to create a constitution for Syracuse in Sicily that would reflect and perpetuate some of his political ideals. The attempts failed, and Plato's disappointment can be traced in some of his later political works. In his lifetime and after, Plato was considered almost divine. Though a measure of his importance, this led to the invention of many tall tales about him-both by those who adored him and his detractors. In this first ever full-length portrait of Plato, Robin Waterfield steers a judicious course among these stories, debunking some while accepting the kernels of truth in others. He explains why Plato chose to write dialogues rather than treatises and gives an overview of the subject matter of all of Plato's books. Clearly and engagingly written throughout, Plato of Athens is the perfect introduction to the man and his work.