Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines Plato's developing critique of the notions and embodiments of manliness prevalent in his culture (particularly those in Homer), and his attempt to redefine such notions in accordance with his ethical, psychological and metaphysical principles.
Trade Review'Hobbs provides a stimulating interpretation of … all Plato's dialogues … in the time-honoured phrase she 'brings Plato to life' and enables us to see what was at stake for him in the discussions of thumos and andreia … Hobbs' book makes fascinating reading both for the classical scholar and for the specialist in modern political philosophy. … a book which is worthy of emulation and which will be hard to better in terms of scholarship, imagination or insight.' Polis
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Preface; Glossary; 1. The puzzle of Plato's thumos; 2. Thumos, andreia and the ethics of flourishing; 3. Arms and the man: andreia in the Laches; 4. Odd virtue out: courage and goodness in the Protagoras; 5. Why should I be good? Callicles, Thrasymachus and the egoist challenge; 6. Heroes and role models: the Apology, Hippias Major and Hippias Minor; 7. The threat of Achilles; 8. Plato's response: the valuable as one; 9. Alcibiades' revenge: thumos in the Symposium; Epilogue: The weaver's art: andreia in the Politicus and Laws; Bibliography; Index.
