The Republic

Plato

Plato’s The Republic is a masterpiece of classical literature, hailed for its profundity and insight into the human condition. Written in a dialogue format between Socrates and his interlocutors, the work explores the concept of a utopian society and the characteristics of the ideal citizen within it. Yet this is not simply an abstract philosophical exercise, for the questions that Plato poses are just as relevant today as they were in ancient Greece: what is morality, what is truth, and what is the role of education in shaping society? With his trademark combination of allegory and lucidity, Plato paints a vivid picture of a society governed by wise and just rulers and, in so doing, establishes himself as one of the greatest thinkers of all time.