Description
By (author) Plato + Saunders, Trevor J.; By (author) Plato; Translated by Saunders, Trevor
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In the Laws, Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system of legislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia.
In the Laws, Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system of legislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia. His laws not only govern crime and punishment, but also form a code of conduct for all aspects of life in his ideal state – from education, sport and religion to sexual behaviour, marriage and drinking parties. Plato sets out a plan for the day-to-day rule of Magnesia, administered by citizens and elected officials, with supreme power held by a Council. Although Plato”s views that citizens should act in complete obedience to the law have been read as totalitarian, the Laws nonetheless constitutes a highly impressive programme for the reform of society and provides a crucial insight into the mind of one of Classical Greece”s foremost thinkers.
Table of contents
The LawsPreface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Utopianism
Plato”s Life and Work
Plato”s Political Thought
The Republic
The Statesman
The Laws
The Relationship Between the Republic and the Laws
Magnesia: the New Utopia
a. Size and Situation
b. Population and Occupations
c. Education
d. Religion
e. Law
f. Government and Administration
Plato and Totalitarianism
The Modern Reaction to Plato
Composition and Structure of the Laws: Summary
Further ReadingNote on the Translation
The Laws
1. The Inadequacy of Spartan and Cretan Legislation
Introductory Conversation
The Aim of Spartan and Cretan Laws
Courage and Pleasure
2. Drinking Parties as an Educational Device
Teetotallers Misguided
Can Drinking Parties be Educational?
Interlude: The Athenian Pressed for an Answer
The Nature and Purpose of Education
The Educational Effect of Drinking Parties
3. The Arts in the Service of Education
The Nature and Purpose of Education
how the Arts should reinforce Education
Is Pleasure the Proper Criterion in the Arts?
Artistic Censorship in Egypt
Justice and Happiness for Together
Children are Easily Persuaded
The Three Choruses
Qualifications of the Third Chorus, and an Attack on Contemporary Trends in the Arts
The Educational Effects of Drinking Parties
Summing-up on the Uses of Drink
4. The Lessons of History: Legislation and the Balance of Powers
Life after the Flood
Autocracy
The Primitive City and the Origin of Legislation
Troy
The Dorian League
Why did the League Fail?
Seven Titles to Authority
The Reasons for Sparta”s Success
5. The Lessons of History (2): Monarchy and Democracy
Two Mother-Constitutions
The Persian Monarchy
Athens and the Persian Wars
The Corruption of the Athenian Democracy
Recapitulation
The Proposed New Cretan Colony
6. Magnesia and Its People
Natural Resources
The Colonists
The Need for a Benevolent Dictator
What Constitution is to be Imposed?
The Age of Cronus
Law should be Supreme
Address to the New Colonists
7. The Correct way to Legislate: Laws and Preambles
Introduction
Physical Fitness
Wealth
The Correct Treatment of Children
Duties to Relatives, Friends and State
Duties to Foreigners
Personal Morality
How to Handle Criminals
Selfishness
Extremes of Emotion to be Avoided
Virtue and Happiness
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