Online Seminar Series

The Laws by Plato

Sunday, September 24, 2023

​

“…there is simple ignorance, which is the source of lighter offenses, and double ignorance, which is accompanied by a conceit of wisdom; and he who is under the influence of the latter fancies that he knows all about matters of which he knows nothing.”

​

The Laws (Greek: Νόμοι, Nómoi; Latin: De Legibus) is Plato’s last and longest dialogue. The conversation depicted in the work’s twelve books begins with the question of who is given the credit for establishing a civilization’s laws. Its musings on the ethics of government and law have established it as a classic of political philosophy alongside Plato’s more widely read Republic. Scholars agree that Plato wrote this dialogue as an older person, having failed in his effort to guide the rule of the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse, instead having been thrown in prison. These events are alluded to in the Seventh Letter. The text is noteworthy as Plato’s only undisputed dialogue not to feature Socrates. We invite you to join us as we read this often overlooked text, one section at a time, in monthly online events.

September 24 Reading:

The Laws by Plato

Book 1 – Section 1: The Inadequacy of Spartan and Cretan Legislation (pages 1-19)

Penguin Classics (June 2005)

ASIN ‏B01FIXK9JK

ISBN 9780140449846

​

Schedule:

12:00-2:00PM PDT

Tutors: 

David Appleby and Andy Gilman

​

Location: 

Online. Register to receive the link.