Commentary

[in chronological order]

Leo Strauss on Plato’s Republic

- Strauss, Leo. "Transcript of Seminar on Plato's Republic." University of Chicago, 1957. Leo Strauss Archives. http://leostrausscenter.uchicago.edu/course/republic
A transcript of a seminar given by Leo Strauss at the University of Chicago in 1957 on Plato’s Republic. Excerpt: Leo Strauss:. . . [The Greek title of Plato’s Republic is politeia.] This word is ordinarily translated as constitution. This means… More

Plato’s Parmenides: A Sketch

- Benardete, Seth, "Plato's Parmenides: A Sketch," The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings in Ancient Poetry and Philosophy, ed. Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, St. Augustine Press, 2012.

Eidos and Diaeresis in Plato’s Statesman

- Benardete, Seth, "Eidos and Diaeresis in Plato's Statesman," The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings in Ancient Poetry and Philosophy, ed. Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, St. Augustine Press, 2012.

Divine Law and Political Philosophy in Plato’s Laws

- Lutz, Mark J., Divine Law and Political Philosophy in Plato’s Laws, DeKalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 2012.
About the Book: All over the world secular rationalist governments and judicial authorities have been challenged by increasingly forceful claims made on behalf of divine law. For those who believe that reason—not faith—should be the basis of politics and… More

Understanding Plato by Mark Blitz

- Blitz, Mark "Understanding Plato: Beauty and the Greater Hippias," Paper delivered at the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University in October, 2011.
First lines: Why should we bother to understand Plato? The reason is that he is an intelligent man who offers the first comprehensive rational reflection on human affairs, happiness, and its connection to politics. Much of what he says is therefore likely to… More

On Translating the Sophist

- Brann, Eva, "On Translating the Sophist," The Music of the Republic: Essays on Socrates' Conversations and Plato's Writings, Philadelphia: Paul Dry Books, 2011, 304-20.
Excerpt: In 1995, I was asked by the series adviser Keith Whitaker to do a translation for the nascent Focus Philosophical Library; Plato was suggested as a possibility. The Focus Press under its editor Ron Pullins publishes fresh translations, intended to be… More

Nonbeing Enfolded in Being: The Sophist

- Brann, Eva, "Nonbeing Enfolded in Being: The Sophist," The Music of the Republic: Essays on Socrates' Conversations and Plato's Writings, Philadelphia: Paul Dry Books, 2011, 294-303.
Excerpt: Parmenides’ discovery of Being as One and as the one and only truth is, I think, the primordial event of First Philosophy. But in named Nonbeing so as to proscribe it as unthinkable and unsayable, he establishes it—an unintended… More

Introduction to the Sophist

- Brann, Eva, "Introduction to the Sophist," The Music of the Republic: Essays on Socrates' Conversations and Plato's Writings, Philadelphia: Paul Dry Books, 2011, 278-93.
Excerpt: The drama of the Sophist is part of a continuing conversation. Three of its participants had talked the day before: Socrates who is known to the world as a philosopher; the brilliant young geometer Theaetetus who so uncannily resembles the ugly… More

Knowledge and Politics: The Statesman

- Mark Blitz, "Knowledge and Politics, The Statesman," Plato's Political Philosophy, Johns Hopkins Press, 2010.
Excerpt: “The Statesman directly follows the Sophist. Its purpose is to define the politikos whom we may call the statesman, the political man, the political scientist, or the political knower. It means especially to explore the place of knowledge in… More

Philosophy and Politics: The Republic

- Blitz, Mark, "Philosophy and Politics: The Republic," Plato's Political Philosophy, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010, 166-90.
Excerpt: We have now discussed several experiences that are at the root of philosophy, and a phenomenon, beauty, that helps to define both ethical and intellectual virtue. It is therefore reasonable to turn next to Plato’s Republic. For, beyond any… More
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Major Works

Protagoras and Meno

- Recommended translation: Plato: "Protagoras" and "Meno,"  trans. Robert C. Bartlett (Cornell, 2004).
From the Publisher: This volume contains new translations of two dialogues of Plato, the Protagoras and the Meno, together with explanatory notes and substantial interpretive essays. Robert C. Bartlett’s translations are as literal as is compatible… More

Phaedo

- Recommended translations: Phaedo, trans. G. M. A. Grube (Hackett: 1977) Phaedo, trans. E. Brann (Focus, 1998)
Excerpt: Echecrates Were you with Socrates yourself, Phaedo, on the day when he drank the poison in prison, or did you hear about it from someone else? Phaedo I was there myself, Echecrates. Echecrates Then what did he say before his death? and how did he… More

Theaetetus

- Recommended translation: "Theaetetus" in The Being of the Beautiful: Plato's Theaetetus, Sophist, and Statesman,  trans. Seth Benardete (University of Chicago Press: 1984).
About the dialogue: In the Theaetetus, Plato explores the nature of knowledge.

Sophist

- Recommended translation: Plato. "Sophist." In The Being of the Beautiful: Plato's Theaetetus, Sophist, and Statesman, translated by Seth Benardete, 123–234. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.
In the Sophist, which takes place the day after the Theaetetus and was written c. 360 BCE, Plato explores what constitutes sophistry and how sophists differ from philosophers and statesmen.   From the publisher: The Being of the Beautiful collects… More

Statesman

- Recommended translation: "Statesman" in The Being of the Beautiful: Plato's Theaetetus, Sophist, and Statesman,  trans. Seth Benardete (University of Chicago Press: 1984).
Excerpt: Socrates Really I am greatly indebted to you, Theodorus, for my acquaintance with Theaetetus and with the Stranger, too. Theodorus Presently, Socrates, you will be three times as much indebted, when they have worked out the statesman and the… More

Parmenides

- Recommended translations:
  • Plato's Parmenides, trans. Samuel Scolnicov (Berkeley, 2003).
  • Plato's Parmenides,  trans. Albert Keith Whitaker (Focus, 1996).
  • "Parmenides," trans. M. L. Gill and Paul Ryan in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
Excerpt: Cephalus When we came from our home at Clazomenae to Athens, we met Adeimantus and Glaucon in the market-place. Adeimantus took me by the hand and said, “Welcome, Cephalus, if there is anything we can do for you here, let us know.” “Why,”… More

Symposium

- Recommended translations:
  • Plato. Plato’s Symposium: A Translation by Seth Benardete with Commentaries by Allan Bloom and Seth Benardete. Translated by Seth Benardete. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
  • Plato. "Symposium." Translated by A. Nehamas and P. Woodruff. In Plato: Complete Works, edited by J. M. Cooper, 457–505. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1997.
An excerpt- Socrates’ recounting of Diotima’s teachings on the “Ladder of Love”: “He who has been instructed thus far in the things of love, and has learned to see the beautiful in due order and succession, when he comes toward… More

Republic

- Recommended translations:
  • Plato. The Republic of Plato. Translated by Allan Bloom. New York: Basic Books, 1968.
  • Plato. The Republic. Translated by Tom Griffith. Edited by G. R. F. Ferrari. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Excerpt: “What you say is very fine indeed, Cephalus,” I said. “But as to this very thing, justice, shall we so simply assert that it is the truth and giving back what a man has taken from another, or is to do these very things sometimes just and… More

Timaeus

- Recommended translation: Timaeus, trans. Peter Kalkavage (Focus, 2001).
Excerpt: Socrates One, two, three,—but where, my dear Timaeus, is the fourth of our guests of yesterday, our hosts of today? Timaeus Some sickness has befallen him, Socrates; for he would never have stayed away from our gathering of his own free will.… More

Gorgias

- Recommended Translation: Plato. The Rhetoric of Morality and Philosophy: Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus. Translated by Seth Benardete. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991.
From the publisher: “The Rhetoric of Morality and Philosophy, one of the most groundbreaking works of twentieth-century Platonic studies, is now back in print for a new generation of students and scholars to discover. In this volume, distinguished… More
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Multimedia

Socrates’ Critique of Homer in the Republic

- Peter Ahrensdorf, "The Freedom of the Mind and the Tyranny of the Passions: Socrates' Critique of Homer's Education in the Republic," March 22, 2022.
Peter Ahrensdorf of Davidson College lectures on Socrates and the poet in Plato’s Republic, at Michigan State University.

Introduction to Plato’s Republic

- "Introduction to Plato's Republic," The New Thinkery Podcast, Fall, 2021.
The New Thinkery podcast presents an introduction to Plato’s Republic.

Ronna Burger on Plato’s Republic

- “Ronna Burger on Plato,” Great Thinkers original content. Uploaded August 13, 2015.  
Tulane University professor Ronna Burger discusses Plato, and particularly the Republic, with Bill Kristol.

Liberal Education and Plato’s Laws

- Robert Goldberg, "Liberal Education and Plato's Laws," PCG at Harvard University, April 2, 2015.
Robert Goldberg, a tutor at St. John’s College, presents on “liberal education and Plato’s Laws” at the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard.

On the Relevance of Plato: The Republic

- Mark Blitz, "The Relevance of Plato," Thomas Aquinas College, March 27, 2015.
Mark Blitz, a professor political philosophy at Claremont McKenna College, lectures on the relevance of Plato, and particularly The Republic, at Thomas Aquinas College.

The Logos of Plato’s Laches

- Michael Davis, "The Logos of Plato's Laches," Catholic University of America, October 17, 2014.
A lecture by Michael Davis of Sarah Lawrence College at the Catholic University of America. From the Fall 2014 lecture series.  

Mark Blitz on Plato

- Mark Blitz on Ancient and Modern Political Philosophy, Conversations with Bill Kristol, August 18, 2014.
In this excerpt from Conversations with Bill Kristol, Mark Blitz, a professor of political philosophy at Claremont McKenna College, discusses how one should begin to study Plato. The entire conversation features an in-depth consideration of Plato, Aristotle,… More

Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

- O'Connor, David, "Ancient and Medieval Philosophy," Podcast,  iTunes University.
Course description: This course, led by Professor David O’Connor (Notre Dame), will concentrate on major figures and persistent themes in ancient and medieval philosophy. A balance will be sought between scope and depth, the latter ensured by a close… More

David Roochnik: Introduction to Greek Philosophy

- Roochnik, David, "Introduction to Greek Philosophy," Audio lectures, The Great Courses, 24 lectures.
Course description: The first philosophers in Western history—the ancient Greeks—asked the most fundamental questions about human beings and their relationship to the world. More than 2,500 years later, the issues they pondered continue to challenge,… More
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Other Works

Letters

- Suggested translation: "Letters," Plato in Twelve Volumes, vol. 7, trans. R. G. Bury, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1966.
Excerpt: Plato to Dionysius wishes well-doing. After I had spent so long a time with you and was trusted above all others in my administration of your government, while you were enjoying the benefits I was enduring the slanders, grievous as they were. For I… More

Epinomis

- Recommended translation: "Epinomis," trans. W. R. M. Lamb in Plato in Twelve Volumes, vol. 9, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925. 
Excerpt: Cleinias: True to our agreement, good sir, we have come all three—you and I and Megillus here—to consider in what terms we ought to describe that part of understanding which we say produces, when it so intends, the most excellent disposition of… More

Protagoras

- Recommended translations:
  • Plato: "Protagoras" and "Meno", trans. Robert C. Bartlett (Cornell, 2004).
  • "Protagoras," trans. S. Lombardo and K. Bell in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
Excerpt: Friend Where have you been now, Socrates? Ah, but of course you have been in chase of Alcibiades and his youthful beauty! Well, only the other day, as I looked at him, I thought him still handsome as a man—for a man he is, Socrates, between you and… More

Theages

- Recommended translations:
  • "Theages," trans. T. Pangle in The Roots of Political Philosophy, ed. Thomas L. Pangle (Cornell, 1987).
  • "Theages," trans. N. Smith in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
Excerpt: Demodocus Socrates, I was wanting to have some private talk with you, if you had time to spare; even if there is some demand, which is not particularly important, on your time, do spare some, nevertheless, for me. Socrates Why, in any case I happen… More

Rival Lovers

- Recommended translation:
  • "Rival Lovers," trans. J. Leake in The Roots of Political Philosophy, ed. Thomas L. Pangle (Cornell, 1987).
Excerpt: Socrates I entered the grammar school of the teacher Dionysius, and saw there the young men who are accounted the most comely in form and of distinguished family, and their lovers. Now it chanced that two of the young people were disputing, but about… More

Phaedrus

- Recommended translations:
  • The Rhetoric of Morality and Philosophy: Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus, trans. Seth Benardete (University of Chicago Press, 1991, 2009).
  • "Phaedrus," trans. M. Nichols, A. Nehamas, and P. Woodruff in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
 
Excerpt: Socrates Dear Phaedrus, whither away, and where do you come from? Phaedrus From Lysias, Socrates, the son of Cephalus; and I am going for a walk outside the wall. For I spent a long time there with Lysias, sitting since early morning; and on the… More

Philebus

- Recommended translations:
  • The Tragedy and Comedy of Life: Plato's Philebus, trans. Seth Benardete (University of Chicago Press: 1991).
  • "Philebus," trans. D. Frede in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
 
Excerpt: Socrates Observe, then, Protarchus, what the doctrine is which you are now to accept from Philebus, and what our doctrine is, against which you are to argue, if you do not agree with it. Shall we make a brief statement of each of them? Protarchus By… More

Ion

- Recommended translation: "Ion," trans. A. Bloom in The Roots of Political Philosophy, ed. Thomas L. Pangle (Cornell, 1987).
Excerpt: Socrates Welcome, Ion. Where have you come from now, to pay us this visit? From your home in Ephesus? Ion No, no, Socrates; from Epidaurus and the festival there of Asclepius. Socrates Do you mean to say that the Epidaurians honor the god with a… More

Minos

- Recommended translations:
  • "Minos," trans. T. Pangle in The Roots of Political Philosophy, ed. Thomas L. Pangle (Cornell, 1987).
  • "Minos," trans. M. Schofield in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
Excerpt: Socrates Tell me, what is law? Companion To what kind of law does your question refer? Socrates What! Is there any difference between law and law, in this particular point of being law? For just consider what is the actual question I am putting to… More

Critias

- Recommended translation: "Critias," trans. D. Clay in Plato: Complete Works, ed. J. M. Cooper (Hackett, 1997).
Excerpt: Timaeus How gladly do I now welcome my release, Socrates, from my protracted discourse, even as a traveller who takes his rest after a long journey! And I make my prayer to that God who has recently been created by our speech (although in reality… More
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