Henry Avila's Reviews > The Republic
The Republic
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Plato's "The Republic", is a great but flawed masterpiece of western literature, yes it makes sense, mostly, some of it. "I am the wisest man in the world because I know one thing, that I know nothing", said the smart man ... Socrates. Plato is writing for Socrates, his friend and teacher. Late teacher, since being forced to commit suicide by the uncomfortable citizens of Athens ( the famous poisoned cup of hemlock), for corrupting the minds of youth. Socrates didn't believe books were as effective as lectures, big mistake. Socrates advocates complete state control of everything, land, schools , businesses, homes, and even children to be taken away from their parents and raised by the state. In other words, an early form of communism. Plato agreed but Aristotle didn't , he knew only parents would love their children , which kids need. Most of the book is dialogues between various men as how to establish a perfect state. Socrates / Plato wanted Greece ruled by philosopher kings. With a professional army to back them up. An unreachable goal, as 24 centuries later, has shown. Greed is the primary motivation of the human race, but people keep on trying to reach the elusive "Utopia", and failing forever? Socrates the wise man, was correct.
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Reading Progress
February 7, 2011
–
Started Reading
February 20, 2011
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Finished Reading
July 7, 2011
– Shelved
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Melissa
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28 nov. 2012 14:01
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Because I find this book difficult to understand for modern genaration like me.
I agree with you Henry, even though I have not read enough of them myself. Great Review!
Nice to see you review so many classics, Henry. I plan on unleashing a few over the course of the next few months.
Did you read "a crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov?
I don't know how explain... For me it's just new, modern, close to us, modern generation. But based on old philosophical learning.
I know of course it :) Did you read modern authors?
I don't know enough about philosophy at all. I'm below a rookie in fact. Have you read this book by Roger Scruton and, if so, do you recommend it? Modern Philosophy: An Introduction and Survey.
The fact that it's an introduction was what sold me when I purchased it and to my shame I only skim read it at the time. I need to be more organized in my "arty-farty" thought processes. Harry has also given me some guidance which was really kind of him.
What goes around...comes around!
I am flattered you enjoyed it, Dolors, of this short review.
What goes around...comes around!"
Thank you Lynne, yes, always happy when people like my reviews.
Out of all the books I have read, hers are my favorite. Her Lymond series is brilliant. You need quite a quick mind and the historical background of the conflicts between England, Scotland and France, from before the time that Mary, Queen of Scots was born, through her time in France, and later, when she returned to Scotland. It also helps to have a history of the middle east of that time, especially the Turks in and around the Golden Horn. Knowledge of Cyprus and the Knights Hospialler would not be amiss, nor would Venician trading. Are you getting the idea just how involved these books are? The joy of discovering them can only happen once.
After the Lymond series comes the Nicolo series, which deals with Flanders and the Low Countries, Scotland, Germany, and Venice along with the invention of cannons, calculous, banking, financial systems and the invention of many other things. This series is very different from the first, but it takes just as much intellect and is just as wonderful in it'd own right.
That is a lot of words for a single comment. I simply want to share the joy of reading these works with someone who has the capacity to appreciate them along with your GR friends who can enjoy them as well.
I'm still confused up to this date, lol