1985, ISBN: 0691022410

Princeton University Press, Princeton, n.d. Paperback reprint ed.1984. XII,338p. Paperback. Signature on free endpaper. Broschiert `In this closely-argued book Professor Kraut attempts to… More...

Princeton University Press, Princeton, n.d. Paperback reprint ed.1984. XII,338p. Paperback. Signature on free endpaper. Broschiert `In this closely-argued book Professor Kraut attempts to reconstruct from the early Platonic dialogues Socrates` views on the grounds and limits of political authority, on the value of democracy and on the possibility of expertise in the moral and political sphere. (...) the central focus is the `Crito`; six of the eight chapters are devoted to a meticulous and exhaustive defence of the thesis that Socrates` position in that dialogue is far less authoritarian than has been maintained by virtually all commentators. (...) The core of the book is the `liberal` interpretation of the `Crito`, which K. presents in two stages. Against those (...) who assert that in this dialogue Plato argues for absolute, blind submission to the state he cites Socrates` insistence that one must act unjustly, a principle which, as is shown by his refusal to abandon his philosophical mission (`Apol.`, 29c-d), justifies disobedience to the state when the latter requires unjust action on the part of the individual. (...) More controversial is K.`s clain that the principles of the `Crito` do not require the citizen even to submit to injustice on the part of the state, but merely to be principled and public in his disobedience. (...) This is a valuable addition to the literature on the `Crito` and on Plato`s political thought gnerally. It is to be recommended alike from the scholarly and from the philosophical standpoint.` (C.C.W. TAYLOR in The Classical Review (new Series), 1985, pp.63-65). 12, [PU: Princeton University Press]<

ISBN: 9780691022413

This fresh outlook on Socrates' political philosophy in Plato's early dialogues argues that it is both more subtle and less authoritarian than has been supposed. Focusing on the Crito, Ri… More...

This fresh outlook on Socrates' political philosophy in Plato's early dialogues argues that it is both more subtle and less authoritarian than has been supposed. Focusing on the Crito, Richard Kraut shows that Plato explains Socrates' refusal to escape from jail and his acceptance of the death penalty as arising not from philosophy that requires blind obedience to every legal command but from a highly balanced compromise between the state and the citizen. In addition, Professor Kraut contends that our contemporary notions of civil disobedience and generalization arguments are not present in this dialogue. Media > Book, [PU: Princeton University Press]<