Research Catalog
Plato as critical theorist
- Title
- Plato as critical theorist / Jonny Thakkar.
- Author
- Thakkar, Jonny, 1982-
- Publication
- Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2018.
- ©2018
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| Status | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schwarzman Building to submit a request in person. | Text | Use in library | JFE 18-5798 | Schwarzman Building - Main Reading Room 315 |
Details
- Description
- xii, 373 pages; 25 cm
- Summary
- Is there any point in thinking about the best possible society? Over the last decade or so, a number of political philosophers have argued that such "ideal theory" is a dangerous distraction from the concrete power struggles that make up "real politics." Jonny Thakkar takes a different view, arguing that each and every one of us has a duty to engage in ideal theory. To make that case he turns to Plato's Republic, which depicts an ideal society within which ideal theory itself plays a vital role, thanks to the institution of philosopher-kings. The first half of the book offers a careful but creative reading of the notion of rule by philosophers. The second half of the book argues that in today's liberal democracies what we need is not philosopher-kings but philosopher-citizens--citizens who reflect, both individually and together, on how they could work together to produce an environment conducive to flourishing. Plato as Critical Theorist argues that the notion of philosopher-citizens is not only compatible with Rawlsian political liberalism, but an advance on it.--
- Subjects
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- Contents
- Introduction -- What is philosophy for? -- Why philosophers should rule -- The beautiful city -- Plato and Athens -- Historical possibility -- Philosopher-citizens -- Moneymaking and malfunction -- Conclusion.
- Call Number
- JFE 18-5798
- ISBN
- 9780674971769
- 0674971760
- LCCN
- 2017045234
- OCLC
- 1002820244
- Author
- Thakkar, Jonny, 1982- author.
- Title
- Plato as critical theorist / Jonny Thakkar.
- Publisher
- Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2018.
- Copyright Date
- ©2018
- Type of Content
- text
- Type of Medium
- unmediated
- Type of Carrier
- volume
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- Research Call Number
- JFE 18-5798