Description
Book SynopsisThis book expounds and examines Plato''s answer to the normative question, `how ought we to live?'' It discusses Plato''s conception of the virtues; his views about the connection between these and happiness; and the account of reason, desire, and motivation that underlies his arguments about the virtues. Irwin traces the development of Plato''s moral philosophy, from the Socratic dialogues to its fullest exposition in the Republic. He discusses Plato''s reasons for abandoning or modifying some aspects of Socratic ethics, and for believing that he preserves Socrates'' essential insights. A brief and selective discussion of the Statesmen, Philebus, and Laws is included. Plato''s answer to the epistemological question `how can we know how we ought to live?'' is also discussed. His views on knowledge, belief, and inquiry, and his theory of forms, are examined in so far as they are relevant to his ethical views. This book expands the discussion in Plato''s Moral Theory (OUP, 1977) to pro
Trade ReviewIrwin has now provided us with one detailed, synoptic view of Plato's ethics which will no doubt stimulate as much debate and discussion as the original PMT. * Phronesis *
Plato's Ethics ... adds a new and deep consideration of the Republic as well as some short chapters on the later dialogues ... Irwin has written a huge book ... clever and rewarding in its eye for detail, in its minute treatment of individual passages. * Times Literary Supplement *
brilliant book ... Professor Irwin has an awe inspiring ability to develop illuminating and subtle lines of interpretation and argument, and there is no doubt that anyone seriously interested in Plato's ethics will be studying and learning from his book for years to come. This is a rich work. * Robert Heinaman, University College, London, Mind, Vol. 106, No. 42, Jan '97 *
