"The Dialogues of Plato, Volume 3" by Plato

The Dialogues of Plato, Volume 3 Ion, Hippias Minor, Laches, Protagoras Plato, R. Allen

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Series:: The Dialogues of Plato
Format:: Paperback
Publication date:: 17 Feb 1998
ISBN:: 9780300074383
Imprint:: Yale University Press
Dimensions:: 248 pages: 235 x 156mm

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R.E. Allen's superb new translations of four Socratic dialogues—Ion, Hippias Minor, Laches, and Protagoras—bring these classic texts to life for modern readers. Allen introduces and comments on the dialogues in an accessible way, inviting the reader to reexamine the issues continually raised in Plato's works.

In his detailed commentary, Allen closely examines the major themes and central arguments of each dialogue, with particular emphasis on Protagoras. He clarifies each of Plato's arguments and its refutation; places the themes in historical perspective; ties each theme to interpretations of rival translations; and links the philosopher's thought to trends in late modern philosophy. Topics discussed include: whether virtue is an art, whether wisdom and courage are logically equivalent, whether virtue is knowledge, and whether to know the good is to do it. Allen connects his discussion of these issues to the Benthamite tradition of hedonism and utilitarianism and to the ethical theories of Mill, Sidgwick, Moore, and Freud.

R.E. Allen is professor of classics and philosophy at Northwestern University.

"Allen's work will replace existing alternatives. His accurate translation and fresh approach will challenge the winds of doctrine that have dominated Platonic scholarship and interpretation for decades."?John P. Anton, University of South Florida

"Few recent events in the world of Platonic scholarship have caused more excitement than the publication of the initial volumes of R. E. Allen's The Dialogues of Plato. Allen is on track to become the first scholar since Benjamin Jowett in the nineteenth century to produce a translation, with commentary, of all of Plato's works. The feat is all the more impressive because Allen's translations and comments thus far have been superb."?Thomas A. Blackson, Review of Metaphysics

"An important event in the world of scholarship."?London Review of Books

"Of interest to students of Greek thought, as well as to anyone interested in the Socratic and Platonic views on virtue."?Eric Kyllo, Religious Studies Review

"This volume contains an elegant translation and a useful essay."?Classical World

"Allen gives us plenty to think about, and helps us understand why the Protagoras especially continues to hold our philosophical interest."?A. Gocer, Ancient Philosophy