First published in 1903, this volume revolutionized philosophy and forever altered the direction of ethical studies. It clarifies some of moral philosophy's most common confusions and redefines the science's terminology. 6 chapters explore: the subject matter of ethics, naturalistic ethics, hedonism, metaphysical ethics, ethics in relation to conduct, and the ideal.
Toward the end of The Apology, Socrates makes a statement that resonates even with those who have never read Plato: "I tell you that ... examining both myself and others is really the very best thing that a man can do, and that life without this sort of examination is not worth living" (p. 63). The Apology, Euthyphro, Crito, and Phaedo, which depict Socrates' activities just prior to his trial until his death, hold a central place among the works of Plato. They sum up the philosophical career of Socrates, protagonist of most of the Platonic dialogues. But this summing up does not imply the end of the examinations Socrates pursued. On the contrary, during his last days, Socrates rigorously continued the kind of inquiries he had pursued all his life, even at the risk of execution, and he enjoined his companions to continue them when he was gone. -- Publisher description
Platónov Štát (Politeia), dielo v desiatich častiach, je po Zákonoch najrozsiahlejším a z hľadiska poznania celého systému Platónovej filozofie najvýznamnejším dialógom vôbec. V ňom vyjadril Platón nielen svoje sociálno-politické názory o „ideálnom štáte“, ale je to zároveň základné dielo aj pre poznanie jeho ontologických, gnozeologických, ako aj psychologických, etických a estetických názorov. Je to dialóg, ktorý zhŕňa Platónove názory predchádzajúcich dialógov, no zároveň je možno do značnej miery chápať aj nasledujúce dialógy ako vysvetlenie a zdôvodnenie toho, čo sa v tomto dialógu zásadne stanovilo.