The Blackwell Guide to Plato's Republic consists of thirteen new essays written by both established scholars and younger researchers with the specific aim of helping readers to understand Plato's masterwork. This guide to Plato's Republic is designed to help readers understand this foundational work of the Western canon. Sheds new light on many central features and themes of the Republic. Covers the literary and philosophical style of the Republic; Plato's theories of justice and knowledge; his educational theories; and his treatment of the divine. Will be of interest to readers who are new to the Republic, and those who already have some familiarity with the book.

Table of Contents

• Notes on Contributors
• Editor's Introduction
• 1 The Literary and Philosophical Style of the Republic - Christopher Rowe
• 2 Allegory and Myth in Plato's Republic - Jonathan Lear
• 3 Socrates' Refutation of Thrasymachus - Rachel Barney
• 4 Plato's Challenge: the Case against Justice in Republic II - Christopher Shields
• 5 The Gods and Piety of Plato's Republic - Mark L. McPherran
• 6 Plato on Learning to Love Beauty - Gabriel Richardson Lear
• 7 Methods of Reasoning about Justice in Plato's Republic - Gerasimos Santas
• 8 The Analysis of the Soul in Plato's Republic - Hendrik Lorenz
• 9 The Divided Soul and the Desire for Good in Plato's Republic - Mariana Anagnostopoulos
• 10 Plato and the Ship of State - David Keyt
• 11 Knowledge, Recollection, and the Forms in Republic VII - Michael T. Ferejohn
• 12 The Forms in the Republic - Terry Penner
• 13 Plato's Defense of Justice in the Republic - Rachel G. K. Singpurwalla
• General Bibliography