Ideal State

Author: [Ancient Greek] Plato
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-30
Features: The influence of "The Republic" on the Western world is vast and enduring, second only to the Bible. Its content covers everything the ideal state Plato envisioned should consider, and its impact on Westerners can be compared to the status of Confucianism and Mencius in the eyes of the Chinese. This basic English translation of "The Republic" is nearly half the length of other English translations while completely preserving the main arguments, key points, and stylistic features of the original. It expresses the dialogues between Socrates and his friends in simple English that everyone can understand, making it both interesting and engaging—this is the purpose of this new edition. —I.A. Richards
The Republic, a dialogue by the great Ancient Greek philosopher Plato, is a lively and engaging work that aims to articulate his vision of a perfect state. It is both a masterpiece of philosophical thought and a timeless work of literature. British scholar I.A. Richards has bridged this classical masterpiece for us with his basic English translation. This book is presented in English-Chinese parallel text, aiming to provide a useful resource for readers who are interested in English and also want to read "The Republic."
"The Republic" is one of Plato's approximately thirty important dialogues and one of his most significant works in his lifetime. The debate unfolds through a series of questions and answers among a few individuals, using illustrative examples to explain and argue for Plato's vision of an ideal state. The opposing sides gradually reach a unified conclusion through contradictions and resolutions. Although the basic British translation by Richards is shorter in length, it retains the same section numbering as the original, making it convenient for comparison and reference with any other version.