Scrinium Classical Antiquity

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  • Socrates and the State. Princeton University Press, Princeton, n.d. Paperback reprint ed.1984. XII,338p. Paperback. Signature on free endpaper. '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). € 27.50 (Antiquarian) ISBN: 9780691022413

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