
Translated by John Llewelyn Davies & David James Vaughan With an Introduction by Stephen Watt The ideas of Plato (c 429-347BC) have influenced Western philosophers for over two thousand years Such is his importance that the twentieth-century philosopher AN Whitehead described all subsequent developments within the subject as foot-notes to Plato's work Beyond philosophy he has exerted a major influence on the development of Western literature politics & theology The Republic deals with the great range of Plato's thought but is particularly concerned with what makes a well-balanced society & individual It combines argument & myth to advocate a life organized by reason rather than dominated by desires & appetites Regarded by some as the foundation document of totalitarianism by others as a call to develop the full potential of humanity the Republic remains a challenging & intensely exciting work