The Plato Library

Plato

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Philosophy
Series

What is a library, if not a gathering place for the soul? In The Plato Library, the dialogues of Plato are read in full, inviting the listener to sit beside Socrates and his companions as they inquire into justice, beauty, love, knowledge, virtue, and the good life. Come, then, and listen. Not as one who already knows, but as one willing to seek.

Episode 1

The Republic Book 1 Part 1

In which Socrates journeys to the Piraeus to partake in festival rites and finds himself engaged in a spirited discourse on justice with a company of Athenians, including the elder Cephalus, his son Polemarchus, and the fiery Thrasymachus. Amidst careful questioning and robust debate, they explore various definitions of justice, probing its nature as duty, social agreement, and the interest of the stronger, revealing conflicts and contradictions that invite further inquiry.
Episode 2

The Republic Book 1 Part 2

In which the nature of justice is examined through a series of inquiries into the roles and interests of rulers and subjects, contrasting the true aim of arts and governance with the claims of power and advantage espoused by Thrasymachus. A subtle and probing dialogue unfolds, gently revealing that justice is wisdom and virtue, while injustice breeds discord and misery, yet the elusive essence of justice remains to be fully understood.
Episode 3

The Republic Book 2 Part 1

In which the spirited debate over the nature and value of justice is rekindled, with Glaucon challenging Socrates to demonstrate that justice is desirable for its own sake and not merely for its rewards, prompting an exploration into the origins of justice as a social compromise and the consequences of absolute justice versus injustice. Following this, Socrates proposes to investigate justice by constructing an ideal State from the ground up, revealing the foundations of society as a web of mutual needs and specialised roles, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of justice in both community and individual.
Episode 4

The Republic Book 2 Part 2

In which the formation of a State is meticulously examined through the division of labour, the needs of its expanding population, and the requisite qualities and education of its guardians. The discourse turns to the moral fabric of the city, emphasising the censorship of tales and the truthful portrayal of the gods to inculcate virtue and wisdom in the youthful defenders of the community.
Episode 5

The Republic Book 3 Part 1

In which the discourse unfolds on the careful curation of tales, songs, and imitations suitable for the education of guardians, emphasising the exclusion of stories and melodies that breed fear, lamentation, or moral corruption. It is argued that only those narratives and artistic expressions embodying temperance, courage, and truth should be admitted, for these alone cultivate noble character and uphold the harmony of the soul.
Episode 6

The Republic Book 3 Part 2

In which the virtues of musical and gymnastic education are expounded as essential for the harmonious development of soul and body, shaping guardians fit to rule with temperance and courage. A careful selection and testing of these guardians is proposed, alongside a foundational myth and strict regulations on their lifestyle, to ensure their loyalty and prevent corruption within the city.
Episode 7

The Republic Book 4 Part 1

In which the nature of a well-ordered city is pondered, along with the roles and happiness of its guardians, and the dangers posed by wealth and poverty to the arts and society’s virtue. Through careful examination, the virtues of wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice are discerned within the city’s structure, laying the foundation for a deeper quest to reveal the elusive essence of justice itself.
Episode 8

The Republic Book 4 Part 2

In which the nature of justice is discerned through the harmonious functioning of distinct parts within both State and soul, establishing that rightly ordered individuals mirror the virtues exemplified by a well-governed polity. Thus, the dialogue unfolds an elegant analogy between inner temperance and civic order, revealing justice as the peaceful mastery of each element fulfilling its proper role.

See All Season 7 (18)

What is a library, if not a gathering place for the soul? In The Plato Library, the dialogues of Plato are read in full, inviting the listener to sit beside Socrates and his companions as they inquire into justice, beauty, love, knowledge, virtue, and the good life. Come, then, and listen. Not as one who already knows, but as one willing to seek.

Creator

Plato
Episodes

50
Seasons

7
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Public domain
Show Website

The Plato Library