Publisher Description

Gender and Rhetoric in Plato's Thought explores the relation between Plato's Republic and Laws on the set of issues that the Laws itself marks out as fundamental to the comparison: the unity of the virtues, the role of women, and the place of the family. Plato aims to persuade men to abandon the view of the good life that Greek cities and their laws inculcate as the only life worth living for those who would be real men and not effeminate weaklings. What we can learn about Plato is the importance for him of understanding the nature of persuasion in order to come to terms with gender justice and the apparent plurality of human goods. What we learn from Plato is that to tackle the issues that arise in our new political community of men and women we must comprehend the proper bases and limits of persuasion.

Table of Contents

1. Gender and the virtues; 2. Plato's psychopolitical justifications; 3. Manliness and tyranny; 4. Justice and the ungendered self; 5. The rule of law and the goodness of the city; 6. Patriarchy and philosophy; Conclusion: from Plato back to politics.

Review

'The most compelling parts of the analysis interweave the topics of war, family, and sexuality with Plato's examination of the traditional Greek ideals of masculinity.' Polis

Promotional

This book explores Plato's Republic and Laws, the unity of the virtues, women's role, and the family.

Review Quote

'The most compelling parts of the analysis interweave the topics of war, family, and sexuality with Plato's examination of the traditional Greek ideals of masculinity.' Polis

Promotional "Headline"

This book explores Plato's Republic and Laws, the unity of the virtues, women's role, and the family.

Description for Bookstore

Gender and Rhetoric in Plato's Thought explores the relation between Plato's Republic and Laws on the set of issues that the Laws itself marks out as fundamental to the comparison: the unity of the virtues, the role of women, and the place of the family.

Description for Library

Gender and Rhetoric in Plato's Thought explores the relation between Plato's Republic and Laws on the set of issues that the Laws itself marks out as fundamental to the comparison: the unity of the virtues, the role of women, and the place of the family.

Details