Cosmology and Politics in Plato's Later Works

Dominic J O'Meara author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:16th Jan '20

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Cosmology and Politics in Plato's Later Works cover

This book relates Plato's cosmology to his political philosophy by means of new interpretations of his Timaeus, Statesman, and Laws.

Knowledge of the structure of the cosmos, Plato suggests, is important in organizing a human community which aims at happiness. Dominic J. O'Meara investigates this theme in Plato's later works, the Timaeus, Statesman ,and Laws, situating them in their artistic and religious context.Knowledge of the structure of the cosmos, Plato suggests, is important in organizing a human community which aims at happiness. This book investigates this theme in Plato's later works, the Timaeus, Statesman, and Laws. Dominic J. O'Meara proposes fresh readings of these texts, starting from the religious festivals and technical and artistic skills in the context of which Plato elaborates his cosmological and political theories, for example the Greek architect's use of models as applied by Plato in describing the making of the world. O'Meara gives an account of the model of which Plato's world is an image; of the mathematics used in producing the world; and of the relation between the cosmic model and the political science and legislation involved in designing a model state in the Laws. Non-specialist scholars and students will be able to access and profit from the book.

"Non-specialist scholars and students will be able to access and profit from this book...For the specialist, this is a rich and challenging book..." --The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought

ISBN: 9781316634431

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 10mm

Weight: 265g

169 pages