Statesman Paperback - 2004

Statesman is a philosophical dialogue written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. It is part of his series of dialogues known as the late period or the mature period dialogues. The dialogue is set in Athens and revolves around a conversation between Socrates, an unnamed Athenian, and a visitor from Elea named Theaetetus. The main topic of discussion is the nature of the statesman and how to distinguish him from other types of rulers.The dialogue begins with the question of what a statesman is and how he differs from other types of rulers such as a king, a tyrant, or a democrat. The Athenian and Theaetetus propose various definitions and criteria for identifying a statesman. They also discuss the relationship between the statesman and the law, and the role of the statesman in maintaining order and justice in society.As the dialogue progresses, the Athenian introduces a series of analogies and myths to illustrate his points. These include the image of the ship of state, the art of weaving, and the story of the divine craftsman. Through these analogies, Plato explores the idea of the statesman as a skilled craftsman who must have knowledge and expertise in order to govern effectively.The dialogue concludes with a discussion of the ideal state and the role of the statesman in creating and maintaining it. Plato argues that the ideal state is one in which the rulers are philosopher-kings who possess both knowledge and virtue. The statesman, in this ideal state, is not only a skilled craftsman but also a wise and virtuous leader who governs for the benefit of all.Overall, Statesman is a complex and nuanced exploration of the nature of political leadership and the role of the statesman in society. It is a significant work in the history of Western philosophy and continues to be studied and debated by scholars today.THEODORUS: By Ammon, the god of Cyrene, Socrates, that is a very fair hit; and shows that you have not forgotten your geometry. I will retaliate on you at some other time, but I must now ask the Stranger, who will not, I hope, tire of his goodness to us, to proceed either with the Statesman or with the Philosopher, whichever he prefers.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.