‘Plato: A Very Short Introduction’ by Julia Annas is a commentary and a introduction for beginners to philosophy of ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Annnas takes a critical approach to Plato’s thought and descriptions, renovates Plato’s philosophy and comments it clearly and concisely by the view and thinking of present-day.
First, in chapter 1, Annas introduces a example of Plato’s way of argument by Jury’s problem. Author writes what is the true brief to gain knowledge Plato thought. Knowledge requires that you acquire the relevant belief for yourself. And Plato’s most famous idea is knowledge is really a sort of ‘recollection’ which not required actual experiences. An example of the knowledge is a geometrical proof. Plato’s ‘theory of forms’ suggests what is true thing and what really we can know.
Chapter 2, author writes family and cultural Plato’s background and his life and career briefly. The teach of Socrates especially method of philosophical argument not making grand theory and doctrine, and emphasis of courage, justice, truth and virtue impressed Plato. Socrates’ thought influenced on teaching in the ‘Academy’ founded by Plato. Plato’s Academy was not a rigid ‘academic’ place like today’s university. The Academy is the centre for discussion. On the other hand Plato is the first systematic philosopher divided logic, physics and ethics, and integrated one principle, and made the word ‘philosophia’ (love of wisdom).
Chapter 3, author introduces Plato’s dialectic method (dramatic form) and its mean. In Plato’s dialogues he detached himself, the authority based on philosophical issues or developments of argument not his character. And author introduces history of interpretations of Platon, from ‘dogmatic’ Platonists and Neo-Platonists (Middle Platonists) to 20th century’s philosophers. Plato’s works were described by different approaches, but it shows development of his thought. establishing distinctive philosophy. Also Plato’s dialectic method presented us to questions to think not answers.
Chapter 4, author criticizes the problem of homoerotic love of Platonic love by gender theory. Plato’s view to love and sex are made by a kind of stoicism to philosophy. He thought, his dialectic method are possible only by arguments among noble men. Plato’s concept of platonic love and thinking of women’s social roles have been discussed from women’s movement19th century to the present. Some people have seen Plato as the first feminist.
In chapter 5, Author argues Plato’s happiness and virtue. Plato’s thought of happiness is abnormal. A well-live life, Plato thought, is the intelligent use of health and wealth, not material advantages. And virtue has a special role and special value. Virtue for Plato is the controlling and defining element in our life. happiness, virtue, virtue in the society and state. Plato’s view to state and government is ideal. Good state should be ruled by elite virtuous citizens. Otherwise democracy would be the worst form of government.
Chapter 6, Plato’s answers to questions about the soul. As an animated body, I function as a unity, but I contain distinct sources of motivation. And the good life is one in which reason rules the whole soul. Soul encourage reason to dominate spirit and desire. And, in Plato’s thought, there’s the disadvantage of the body.
Then, in chapter 7, Annas comments Plato’s view to the world, ontology related to his ethics and virtue. Plato’s thinking to God. Real world is the extent to lead the rational structure of Forms. The Craftsman God made the best world possible because he is good and so wanted the made to be as good as it could be. Plato’s God makes the product, which is an excellent one, but he is not responsible for the ‘Necessity’, the inescapable results by the materials. Plato’s basical element of ontology and knowledge is ideal mathematical knowledge. Forms emerge in front of you as knowledge, belief or various shapes. You can only ‘participate in’ the world of Forms. Then the author concluded Plato institutionalized philosophy, it’s total unified endeavour requires both a systematic pursuit of truth and a radical dependence on argument. And the most important message by him is not believing in Forms or the importance of virtue, but is that we should think and argue to pursuit good and virtue.
Annas’ interpretation on Plato’s philosophy in this book is positive and balanced, and takes advantage of and expands good points of Plato. It’s a fresh and practical approach, not a rigorous and formal one. And her description are concise and essential. Her critic and comment grasp historical contexts totally from the ancient Greek though the modern era to today, and can adapt to actual problems of modern society. But she isn’t make full use of her feminist view point to critique Plato’s the problem of homoerotic love of Platonic love.
In this book Annas concentrates on Plato’s way of argument, method of philosophy, thought to knowledge, mind-body problem, ethics and what it is philosophy for him. But she isn’t deal with Plato’s thought of beauty, logic and language.
This book is a commentary to Plato’s philosophy, not Plato’s itself. And she isn’t take up Plato’s whole philosophy and his entire life. Mainly she argues essence of philosophical method, manner and system of Plato rather than the content of philosophy of Plato. (The essence of Plato’s philosophy that we should obtain from is importance of argument and its development, not fixed theory.) It’s a Julia Annas’s interpretation to philosophy of Plato, and a practice of fixed commentary and interpretation. So this book is only a introduction, but very good introduction to philosophy of Plato for beginners.
Plato (Very Short Introductions)
Julia Annas
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 15 May 2003
120 pages £7.99 $11.95
ISBN: 978-0-19-280216-3
Contents:
List of illustrations
1. Arguing with Plato
2. Plato’s name, and other matters
3. Drama, fiction, and the elusive author
4. Love, sex, gender, and philosophy
5. Virtue, in me and in my society
6. My soul and myself
7. The nature of things
Refereces
Further Reading
Index
Related Posts and Pages
‘Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Edward Craig, Oxford University Press
‘Ancient Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Julia Annas, Oxford University Press
‘Continental Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Simon Critchley, Oxford University Press
‘Aristotle (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Jonathan Barnes, Oxford University Press
‘Descartes (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Tom Sorell, Oxford University Press
‘Locke (A Very Short Introduction)’ by John Dunn, Oxford University Press
‘Marx (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Peter Singer, Oxford University Press
‘Barthes (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Jonathan Culler
‘The Meaning of Life (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Terry Eagleton, Oxford University Press
‘Love (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Ronald de Sousa, Oxford University Press