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The Republic (Penguin Classics)

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Format: Paperback


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Plato's The Republic is widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of Western philosophy. Presented in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and three different interlocutors, it is an inquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it. During the conversation other questions are raised: what is goodness; what is reality; what is knowledge? The Republic also addresses the purpose of education and the role of both women and men as "guardians" of the people. With remarkable lucidity and deft use of allegory, Plato arrives at a depiction of a state bound by harmony and ruled by "philosopher kings." For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to- date translations by award-winning translators. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics


Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 14, 2007


Edition ‏ : ‎ New


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140455116


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 13


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces


Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.8 x 5.08 x 0.81 inches


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • one of the best books for political clarity
Format: Paperback
if you dont know politics Read This Book! its the blueprint to all political lunacy
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026 by Thick Ma
    • A classic edition-though an alternative would be welcome
Format: Paperback
Desmond Lee's translation is no doubt very learned yet easy and convenient to read. His endnotes and annotations are on the whole exceedingly helpful. Still, an alternative edition, of the same quality standard but with a slightly different character, would be welcome, so that it could be read side by side with Lee's edition. Re the translation, one wonders whether Lee, in a bid to accommodate the modern reader, goes too far in rendering Plato's terms in a variety of modern terms. For some of the key concepts, Lee provides the original in endnotes, which is helpful but involves a lot of going back and forth (footnotes might have been preferable). For many concepts, he does not. This is not a call for having the original next to the translation, but for a more literal translation. Re Lee's annotations and appendices, they are helpful analytically but not as much philosophically. I would have loved to have brief philosophical essays on the key similes or concepts in the appendix. The list of secondary readings, which is almost entirely by so-called "analytical" philosophers, hence extremely one-sided and curtailed, gives it away: this edition is produced in an "analytical" tradition. The alternative edition I'd hope for would be furbished by philosophers. One finds them in German or French, of course, but I'd like to see that in English, too. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024 by Matthias Goertz
    • An Interesting Look into Justice and the Perfect State
The Republic, by Plato, is a very thoughtful and explorative writing about the perfect state, the role of justice in it, and how it could be materialized. Plato explores how a state should function, in terms of justice, and he discusses what justice is, how it governs human actions, and why it is so important. The society, according to him, has 3 classes, workers, warriors, and rulers, who must all coexist and work together. They are governed by appetite, spirit(honor), and thought, respectively. Someone who is governed by one thing, say appetite, but holds a position that should be governed by another idea(say ruler), becomes a bad thing for society, in this case a tyrant. Who should hold each postitions, how they should be trained, and what types of things should be allowed in the society, and in their lives are all discussed by Plato, but he does come to the conclusion, that although money can satisfy the appetite, it cannot satisfy the mind, and thought and understanding brings true happiness, and justice brings true good. Education should ensure that good rules the minds of society, for great knowlege combined with evil intentions causes trouble. The world inself has a visible and mental form, and Thinkers and Philosophers are those who access most the mental world. Justice however, is inherently good, and brings the most true good to a society. Plato's analysis of the state is quite a profound and interesting one, and this book is a simple translation to read and understand and is recommendable to anyone. It is truly a must read, especially in greek literature, as Plato is one of the great thinkers of all time. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2012 by THe Neuro
    • Classic everyone should read
Format: Paperback
Was a gift for a friend, he seemed to like it
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2025 by BigG
    • Very good
Format: Library Binding
Very good
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026 by sam tsai
    • Plato's Republic
Format: Paperback
classic to be read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2026 by william durdon
    • Better than I expected
Format: Paperback
To those unfamiliar, The Republic is written in the form of a "Socratic dialogue", which is a long, continuous conversation between Socrates and his pupils. Sort of like an ancient podcast. That being said, this is not a very easy read, and you should probably read one of Plato's other works first before diving in. In particular, I recommend reading The Apology first, which mirrors the tone of this book. In The Apology, the superior wisdom and moral clarity of Socrates ultimately leads to his downfall at the hands of the Athenian state. In contrast, The Republic has a more optimistic vision; Socrates constructs a utopian state grounded by virtue and ruled by philosophers. I thought the translator did a fantastic job of preserving Socrates's playful style without compromising on the fundamental ideas. The summary/context at the beginning of each section was helpful, too. Even without today's advanced technology, Plato was able to pinpoint some of life's most valuable epistemological truths. This is why I love classical philosophy. The Republic is a life raft that guides us toward a kind of dialectic knowledge that is often overlooked in our chaotic, unfocused world. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024 by Dallin
    • Be Cautious.
Format: Paperback
The Republic by Plato is one of the most famous works in Western philosophy, exploring justice, society, truth, and the soul. While it's intellectually influential, it is not spiritually safe for those seeking biblical truth—especially if read without discernment. Plato promotes ideas like the immortality and reincarnation of the soul, a “world of perfect forms,” and a philosopher-king utopia—all of which are in conflict with Scripture. The book encourages human reasoning as the ultimate guide, rather than divine revelation. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” — 1 Corinthians 3:19, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit…” Colossians 2:8. While Plato raises important questions about justice and virtue, he builds his answers without God—offering an attractive but godless framework. For believers or spiritual seekers, this can quietly distort the truth, especially when combined with modern spiritual ideas. If you read this book, treat it like what it is: a work of human philosophy—not a source of spiritual truth. Scripture must always be your anchor. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025 by Gene LeJeune

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