Freedom, Reason, and the Polis: Volume 24, Part 2
Essays in Ancient Greek Political Philosophy

Essays by prominent contemporary philosophers exploring how questions of law were addressed by ancient political thinkers.

David Keyt (Edited by), Fred Miller, Jr (Edited by)

9780521710121, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 2 July 2007

340 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

' It is a collection of texts of exceptional quality, written by distinguished specialists (except for one, all are American.' Revue philsophique de Louvain

What is the nature of law? Does our obligation to obey the law extend to unjust laws? From what source do lawmakers derive legitimate authority? What principles should guide us in the design of political institutions? The essays in this collection, written by prominent contemporary philosophers, explore how these questions were addressed by ancient political thinkers, including the Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics and Epicureans. Classical theories of human nature and their implications for political theory are examined, as is the meaning of freedom and coercion in Plato's thought. Plato's idea that philosophers should be political rulers receives scrutiny, too. Other essays ask what we can learn from ancient thinkers like Aristotle about the principles of constitutional design or the limits of political obligation.

1. Nomos and Phusis in Democritus and Plato C. C. W. Taylor
2. Forcing goodness in Plato's Republic Christopher Shields
3. Ascent and descent: the philosopher's regret Allan Silverman
Gerasimos Santas Plato's criticisms of democracy in the Republic Gerasimos Santas
4. The rule of reason in Plato's Statesman and the American Federalist Fred D. Miller, Jr.
5. Freedom, liberality, and liberty in Plato's Laws André Laks
6. Why should philosophers rule?
7. Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Protrepticus Christopher Bobonich
8. Aristotle on the mixed constitution and its relevance for American political thought Carrie-Ann Biondi
9. Nature in Aristotle's ethics and politics Richard Kraut
10. The good man and the upright citizen in Aristotle's ethics and politics David Keyt
11. Stoic communitarianism and normative citizenship Anthony A. Long
12. The classical roots of radical individualism Roderick T. Long.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]