Statesman

by Plato, Benjamin Jowett (Translator)

Overview

In Plato's Statesman, the dialogue delves into the nature of political power and the true essence of leadership. Through a conversation between Socrates, his students, and a mysterious philosopher known as the "visitor" from Elea, the text explores the specialized knowledge required to govern justly and effectively. 

By examining the social divisions necessary for proper governance, Statesman offers profound insights into the complexities of political authority and the ethical responsibilities of those in power. 

This timeless philosophical treatise challenges readers to reconsider the qualifications and integrity of those who wield political influence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781396326554
Publisher:	Left of Brain Books
Publication date:	05/29/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	108
File size:	70 KB

About the Author

Eva Brann, Peter Kalkavage, and Eric Salem are Tutors at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD. They have co-translated Plato’s Sophist and Phaedo for Focus Publishing.

Read an Excerpt

Socrates: I really owe you a big debt of thanks, Theodorus, for my getting to know Theaetetus, along with getting to know the stranger as well.

Theodorus: And soon, Socrates, you’ll owe triple that, once they’ve worked out the statesman and the philosopher for you.

Socrates: Come now, is that how we’re going to say we’ve heard it put, my dear Theodorus, by the one mightiest at calculations and geometrical matters?

Theodorus: How so, Socrates?

Socrates: Because you set down each of the men as of equal worth, though in honor they stand farther apart from one another than accords with any proportion in your art.

What People are Saying About This

John Cooper

The original publication of Rowe's translation in 1995 was a landmark event in the study of this fascinating but enigmatic dialogue. Based on a careful and convincing revised Greek text, the contemporary English of this unpretentious, clear, and-above all-accurate version [Hackett Publishing Co.] make it by far the best available. In fact, Rowe's translation is now and will surely remain the only acceptable choice.

Interviews

Statesman is for students of philosophy, political theory, or history of philosophy, as well as those in departments of Philosophy, Political Science, Classics, History, or Great Books.

Editorial Reviews

A student edition of Rowe's (Greek, U. of Durham) contribution to the published by Hackett in 1997, itself slightly revised from the 1995 Arts and Phillips publication of . It includes only the translation, a few annotations, a 20-page introduction, and a select bibliography. Paper edition (unseen), $7.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

This will be the preferred edition of Plato’s Statesman for teachers and students who are serious not only about reading the text in good translation, but also about working through its arguments.
— Dustin Gish, College of the Holy Cross

“Having taught Plato's dialogues in my classes over the past forty-three years to upper level undergraduates, I can especially appreciate the value of this new edition of Plato's Statesman. The three translators have paid very close attention to the amazing fecund versatility of the Greek text, producing a translation that is as accurate and lively as possible and the best currently available for classroom use. The interpretative essay is unique in its highlighting of all of the issues that a thoughtful reader should be led to consider concerning this work. As has been the case with other works by these translators, the glossary leads any Greek-less reader as close as possible to the interconnections of the major words that sustain the flow and eddies of this perennially fascinating work.”

—Donald Lindenmuth, The Pennsylvania State University

“All serious students of Plato will want to obtain this book. Brann, Kalkavage, and Salem have provided all the tools one needs—short of a knowledge of ancient Greek—to undertake in-depth study of this enormously important, complex, and fascinating dialogue.”

—Jacob Howland, University of Tulsa

From the Publisher