
The Laws of Plato - Online Seminar Series
Agora Foundation Online Seminar Series -
The Golden Bough by James Frazer
“...there is simple ignorance, which is the source of lighter offenses, and double ignorance, which is accompanied by a conceit of wisdom; and he who is under the influence of the latter fancies that he knows all about matters of which he knows nothing.”
The Laws (Greek: ΝÏŒμοι, Nómoi; Latin: De Legibus) is Plato's last and longest dialogue. The conversation depicted in the work's twelve books begins with the question of who is given the credit for establishing a civilization's laws. Its musings on the ethics of government and law have established it as a classic of political philosophy alongside Plato's more widely read Republic. Scholars agree that Plato wrote this dialogue as an older person, having failed in his effort to guide the rule of the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse, instead having been thrown in prison. These events are alluded to in the Seventh Letter. The text is noteworthy as Plato's only undisputed dialogue not to feature Socrates. We invite you to join us as we read this often overlooked text, one section at a time, in monthly online events.
Next Event in the series:
Saturday, December 9 - 12:00-2:00PM PDT
December 9 Reading:
The Laws by Plato
Book 1 - Section 2: Drinking Parties as an Educational Device (pages 20-38)
Penguin Classics (June 2005)
ASIN B01FIXK9JK
ISBN 9780140449846
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Tutor:
David Appleby
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