Plato

Plato explores the thought of a man who, in a literary career of fifty years, generated ideas that have pervaded history from antiquity to today. After laying out the basics of Plato's intellectual development and considering his complex relationship with Socrates, Andrew Mason offers a thematic approach to help readers navigate through this often challenging body of work. Mason clearly delineates the philosopher's positions on virtue, politics, moral philosophy, and aesthetics, and presents an accessible discussion of his central metaphysical theme, the theory of Forms. Throughout, this concise volume traces the development of continuing themes in Plato's dialogues and considers the relevance of these themes for modern thought. Drawing on recent scholarship, this engaging introduction offers the ideal, up-to-date overview of a figure who remains essential reading in western history and philosophy.

Andrew S. Mason lectures in philosophy at the University of Edinburgh and is a research fellow of the Archelogos Project.