Why people recommend it
Plato's Republic for Today by Plato, translated and introduced with modern resonance by William Boyd, presents the foundational Greek philosophical dialogues concerning justice, the ideal state, and the education of a ruling guardian class responsible for maintaining societal order. On the Conversations with Tyler podcast episode titled Chris Arnade on Walking Cities, guest Chris Arnade brought up the book to draw a striking structural analogy between the Chinese Communist Party and Plato's concept of a guardian class whose primary goal is to engineer the best possible society. Meanwhile, on the podcast No Stupid Questions, co-host Angela Duckworth mentioned Plato's Republic during a discussion about superpowers and morality, referencing the famous philosophical story of the Ring of Gyges told by Glaucon, Plato's older brother. Both commentators utilized the themes and narratives within Plato's enduring work to explore deep sociological, political, and ethical questions that continue to shape human governance and individual behavior across generations. The timeless attraction of the text stems from its rigorous interrogation of what constitutes a truly just life and a well-ordered community.
Who recommended it
- Chris Arnade Discussed
- Angela Duckworth Discussed
Chris Arnade — 1 mention
“one of the things I wrote about on both of pieces was I just kept thinking of, you know, them as a guardian class kind of incorporating Plato's republic. you know that they really do think of themselves as kind of as the guardian class whose goal it is to build the best society.”
Angela Duckworth — 1 mention
“a tiny bit older than The Hobbit in Plato's Republic glaucon Plato's older brother tells this story”