Laws

Plato's represents his great unattainable ideal: a model society governed by Guardians trained in moral philosophy. But in the real world - where philosopher-kings are in short supply - Plato knew that the only foundation for stable and just society is the rule of law. In this, his last and longest dialogue, therefore, he sets out in fascinating detail a comprehensive system of legislation to cover every aspect of his life - from sexual conduct to sport, from drinking parties (as a means of education) to divorce. His extraordinary achievement is put into context by Professor Saunders's fine Introduction, which looks at Plato's whole career against its historical background and shows that if modern critics have rightly found some totalitarian tendencies in Plato, he is still a uniquely stimulating and provocative writer.