Knowledge of the structure of the cosmos, Plato suggests, is important in organizing a human community which aims at happiness. This book investigates this theme in Plato's later works, the Timaeus, Statesman, and Laws. Dominic J. O'Meara proposes fresh readings of these texts, starting from the religious festivals and technical and artistic skills in the context of which Plato elaborates his cosmological and political theories, for example the Greek architect's use of models as applied by Plato in describing the making of the world. O'Meara gives an account of the model of which Plato's world is an image; of the mathematics used in producing the world; and of the relation between the cosmic model and the political science and legislation involved in designing a model state in the Laws. Non-specialist scholars and students will be able to access and profit from the book.

This book relates Plato's cosmology to his political philosophy by means of new interpretations of his Timaeus, Statesman, and Laws.

About the Author
Dominic J. O'Meara is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Philosophy at the Universite de Fribourg, Switzerland. His numerous publications on the history of Platonism include Pythagoras Revived (1989) and Platonopolis (2003). He is a founding member of the Academia Platonica Septima and a recipient of the Prince of Liechtenstein Prize.

Reviews
"Non-specialist scholars and students will be able to access and profit from this book...For the specialist, this is a rich and challenging book..." --The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought



Book Information
ISBN 9781316634431
Author Dominic J. O'Meara
Format Paperback
Page Count 169
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 265g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 10mm