Get Your Free Audiobook
Plato's Republic
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Prince
- By: Niccolò Machiavelli
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In an attempt to appeal to the Medici family during the Italian Renaissance, Machiavelli outlines the way to acquire and retain political power, and how great men should behave in a princely government. The book is divided into four parts - types of principalities and state, proper conduct of a prince as military leader, personal conduct of a prince, and the disparity of Italy's political situation. Many listeners will be able to see principals that Machiavelli advocates for are still used in many political systems today.
-
-
Overrated
- By Amazon Customer on 24-11-2018
-
The Ethics of Aristotle
- By: The Great Courses, Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Narrated by: Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this 12-lecture meditation on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, you'll uncover the clarity and ethical wisdom of one of humanity's greatest minds. Father Koterski shows how and why this great philosopher can help you deepen and improve your own thinking on questions of morality and leading the best life. The aim of these lectures is to provide you with a clear and thoughtful introduction to Aristotle as a moral philosopher.
-
-
A great course
- By Amazon Customer on 26-12-2017
-
The Wealth of Nations
- By: Adam Smith
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 36 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words.
-
-
Classic underlying
- By Kindle Customer on 19-04-2018
-
Nicomachean Ethics
- By: Aristotle, W. D. Ross (translator)
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, said to be dedicated to Aristotle's son, Nicomachus, is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of Western philosophy. Addressing the question of how men should best live, Aristotle's treatise is not a mere philosophical meditation on the subject, but a practical examination that aims to provide a guide for living out its recommendations.
-
The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
- The Apology, Crito, Charmides, Laches, Lysis, Menexenus, Ion
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here are the Socratic Dialogues presented as Plato designed them to be - living discussions between friends and protagonists, with the personality of Socrates himself coming alive as he deals with a host of subjects, from justice and inspiration to courage, poetry and the gods. Plato's Socratic Dialogues provide a bedrock for classical Western philosophy. For centuries they have been read, studied and discussed via the flat pages of books, but the ideal medium for them is the spoken word.
-
Metaphysics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aristotle's Metaphysics was the first major study of the subject of metaphysics - in other words, an inquiry into 'first philosophy', or 'wisdom'. It differs from Physics which is concerned with the natural world: things which are subject to the laws of nature, things that move and change, are measurable. In Metaphysics, the study falls on 'being qua being' - being insofar as it is being; the causes and principles of being, the causes and principles of substances.
-
The Prince
- By: Niccolò Machiavelli
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In an attempt to appeal to the Medici family during the Italian Renaissance, Machiavelli outlines the way to acquire and retain political power, and how great men should behave in a princely government. The book is divided into four parts - types of principalities and state, proper conduct of a prince as military leader, personal conduct of a prince, and the disparity of Italy's political situation. Many listeners will be able to see principals that Machiavelli advocates for are still used in many political systems today.
-
-
Overrated
- By Amazon Customer on 24-11-2018
-
The Ethics of Aristotle
- By: The Great Courses, Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Narrated by: Father Joseph Koterski S.J.
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this 12-lecture meditation on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, you'll uncover the clarity and ethical wisdom of one of humanity's greatest minds. Father Koterski shows how and why this great philosopher can help you deepen and improve your own thinking on questions of morality and leading the best life. The aim of these lectures is to provide you with a clear and thoughtful introduction to Aristotle as a moral philosopher.
-
-
A great course
- By Amazon Customer on 26-12-2017
-
The Wealth of Nations
- By: Adam Smith
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 36 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words.
-
-
Classic underlying
- By Kindle Customer on 19-04-2018
-
Nicomachean Ethics
- By: Aristotle, W. D. Ross (translator)
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, said to be dedicated to Aristotle's son, Nicomachus, is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of Western philosophy. Addressing the question of how men should best live, Aristotle's treatise is not a mere philosophical meditation on the subject, but a practical examination that aims to provide a guide for living out its recommendations.
-
The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
- The Apology, Crito, Charmides, Laches, Lysis, Menexenus, Ion
- By: Plato, Benjamin Jowett - translator
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here are the Socratic Dialogues presented as Plato designed them to be - living discussions between friends and protagonists, with the personality of Socrates himself coming alive as he deals with a host of subjects, from justice and inspiration to courage, poetry and the gods. Plato's Socratic Dialogues provide a bedrock for classical Western philosophy. For centuries they have been read, studied and discussed via the flat pages of books, but the ideal medium for them is the spoken word.
-
Metaphysics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aristotle's Metaphysics was the first major study of the subject of metaphysics - in other words, an inquiry into 'first philosophy', or 'wisdom'. It differs from Physics which is concerned with the natural world: things which are subject to the laws of nature, things that move and change, are measurable. In Metaphysics, the study falls on 'being qua being' - being insofar as it is being; the causes and principles of being, the causes and principles of substances.
-
Friedrich Nietzsche Collection: Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil
- By: Friedrich Nietzsche
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 18 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Enjoy this Friedrich Nietzsche collection combining two of Nietzsche's most noteworthy pieces, Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil, into one audiobook!
-
Beyond Good and Evil
- By: Friedrich Nietzsche
- Narrated by: Christopher Preece
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche accuses past philosophers of lacking critical sense and blindly accepting dogmatic premises in their consideration of morality. Specifically, he accuses them of founding grand metaphysical systems upon the faith that the good man is the opposite of the evil man, rather than just a different expression of the same basic impulses that find more direct expression in the evil man.
-
Politics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: Bernard Mayes
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Over two millennia after its compilation, the Politics still offers much to consider with regards to political science. Aristotle's succinct and thoughtful analysis is based on his study of over 150 city constitutions and covers the gamut of political issues in order to establish which types of constitution are best, ideally as well as for particular circumstances, and how they may be maintained.
-
Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
- Narrated by: Duncan Steen
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the most significant books ever written by a head of State, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
-
-
Great introduction to Philosophy
- By C. R. Grice on 25-03-2017
-
Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey
- By: Homer, W. H. D. Rouse - translator
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 25 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless. The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns. The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife.
-
-
Epic
- By Corey on 30-08-2018
-
Self Reliance
- By: Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Narrated by: Alana Munro
- Length: 1 hr and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes, the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his or her own instincts and ideas. It is the source of one of Emerson's most famous quotations, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." This essay is a considered a watershed moment in which transcendentalism became a major cultural movement. An American classic.
-
-
Slow and Stilted
- By Amazon Customer on 04-09-2017
-
On the Origin of Species
- By: Charles Darwin
- Narrated by: Philippe Duquenoy
- Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in the 19th century, On the Origin of Species is one of the most important and controversial books ever written on human origins. Darwin's work is the cornerstone of the theory of evolution and is as important today as it was when it was released nearly 160 years ago.
-
The Peloponnesian War
- By: Thucydides
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 26 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Historians universally agree that Thucydides was the greatest historian who has ever lived, and that his story of the Peloponnesian conflict is a marvel of forensic science and fine literature. That such a triumph of intellectual accomplishment was created at the end of the fifth century B.C. in Greece is, perhaps, not so surprising, given the number of original geniuses we find in that period. But that such an historical work would also be simultaneously acknowledged as a work of great literature and a penetrating ethical evaluation of humanity is one of the miracles of ancient history.
-
-
haunting
- By Tim Dubber on 19-05-2016
-
Crime and Punishment
- By: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Narrated by: Constantine Gregory
- Length: 22 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A century after it first appeared, Crime and Punishment remains one of the most gripping psychological thrillers. A poverty-stricken young man, seeing his family making sacrifices for him, is faced with an opportunity to solve his financial problems with one simple but horrifying act: the murder of a pawnbroker. She is, he feels, just a parasite on society. But does the end justify the means? Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov makes his decision and then has to live with it.
-
-
Remarkable!
- By Anonymous User on 12-07-2017
-
Gilgamesh: The New Translation
- By: Gerald J. Davis
- Narrated by: John Hanks
- Length: 3 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Epic of Gilgamesh relates the tale of the fifth king of the first dynasty of Uruk (in what is modern-day Iraq), who reigned for 126 years, according to the ancient Sumerian list of kings. Gilgamesh was first inscribed in cuneiform writing on clay tablets by an unknown author during the Sumerian era and has been described as one of the greatest works of literature in the recounting of mankind's unending quest for immortality.
-
On Liberty
- By: John Stuart Mill
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in 1859, John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is an exhaustive exploration of social and civic liberty, its limits, and its consequences. Mill's work is a classic of political liberalism that contains a rational justification of the freedom of the individual in opposition to the claims of the state.
-
Leviathan
- Or, the Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: Peter Wickham
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born out of the political turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan stands out as one of the most in influential political and philosophical texts of the 17th century. It argues for the restoration of the monarchy in light of the republic and calls for a commonwealth ruled by an authoritative, autocratic figure with absolute sovereignty. This would put an end to all controversy, war, and fear and establish peace via social contract.
Publisher's Summary
The Republic poses questions that endure: What is justice? What form of community fosters the best possible life for human beings? What is the nature and destiny of the soul? What form of education provides the best leaders for a good republic? What are the various forms of poetry and the other arts, and which ones should be fostered and which ones should be discouraged? How does knowing differ from believing?
Several characters in the dialogue present a variety of tempting answers to those questions. Cephalus, Polemarchus, Thrasymachus, and Glaucon all offer definitions of justice. Socrates, Glaucon, and Adeimantus explore five different forms of republic and evaluate the merits of each from the standpoint of goodness.
Two contrasting models of education are proposed and examined. Three different forms of poetry are identified and analyzed. The difference between knowing and believing is discussed in relation to the objects of each kind of thinking.
© Agora Publications
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
-
5 Stars5
-
4 Stars5
-
3 Stars0
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Performance
-
-
5 Stars10
-
4 Stars0
-
3 Stars0
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Story
-
-
5 Stars7
-
4 Stars2
-
3 Stars1
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rowan
- 24-04-2017
A classic, be mindful of translation bias.
This performance brings this old masterpiece to life. The translator was a devout catholic and unfortunately some dogma and religious ideology has been woven into some of the spiritual concepts. It doesn't ruin the message but it does distract from it, it's well to be aware at all times that this text is translated from Ancient Greek, and the original meaning may be somewhat masked, think loosely on concepts and not too fixed on specific vocabulary.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Benjamin Myers
- 08-08-2016
Spectacular
What a wonderful performance - infused by the excitement, energy, and wit of real conversation. The actors do a wonderful job of bringing the book, and its subtle interlocking chains of argument, to life. A first-rate performance of one of the world's greatest books. I'll be listening to this one again.
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- The Masked Reviewer
- 24-06-2017
Benjamin Jowett Translation, Ray Childs Narration
If you could sum up Plato's Republic in three words, what would they be?
Know Thy Self
What other book might you compare Plato's Republic to and why?
The Republic is probably an amalgam of all the Socratic dialogues rolled into one. The goal here, as in other Socratic dialogues, is not to establish a dogmatic system, but to take the reader/listener on a philosophical journey to consider classic questions in a fully human sort of way. Humanist and other terms like this become more clear when you consider what it is to be fully human.
Socrates was certainly trying to explore what it is to be more fully human, and the natural role of virtue and philosophy in the quest to become more fully achieved as a human being. In this particular dialogue, that takes the form of considering the ideal human being and comparing that to the ideal state ("the Republic"), and seeing the ways in which these are not really different things, as each is evident in the other. The state is evident in each individual citizen and each individual citizen is evident in some way within the manifestations of the state.
In the Republic, however, the ideal may be less a static ideal than a journey toward questioning and public discourse. I think that can be the only real "goal" of this text if read carefully enough. Many arguments which Socrates seems to be making are quickly and casually cast aside. This should be taken as a clue that Socrates is not pre-determined on a set destination but rather a discourse that is rather open-ended. I do believe that the end goal is simply to allow us the readers/listeners to become more thoughtful and considerate beings, to acknowledge the importance of balance and harmony as the ancients reportedly did.
It is noteworthy here, as elsewhere that Plato's Socrates often refers to Homer as a corrupting force, interested in telling exciting, juicy tales rather than improving the soul of Man, which Socrates claims is of the utmost importance for a great storyteller. It is only in this vein that he sometimes explores the possibility of creating "noble lies" that could help to create better human beings who steer clear of vices and toward virtue.
Have you listened to any of Ray Childs’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
There are more difficult patches early on where it proved to me the value of sitting in a quiet comfortable place to concentrate fully on this seminal text concerning Public Discourse which becomes important throughout all later Continental (and especially German Idealist) philosophy.
In general, Childs is a rather loving narrator. He doesn't rush except when he is trying to fully bring to the surface the passion of his understanding of the dialogue in play.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I know I always tend to become more reflective when I engage a Socratic dialogue. No laughing or crying so much as an appreciation that ancient Greeks thought so sanely and deeply about the true nature and impulses at work in the manifestations of virtue and of vice.
Any additional comments?
TRANSLATION INFO:
A Plato scholar has informed me that this is the
Benjamin Jowett’s translation, revised by Albert A. Anderson
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Unripe
- 20-05-2016
A great way to enjoy The Republic
I've read Plato's Republic about a half dozen times over the course of my life. This audible version brought out many great things I never noticed before. Fantastic.
22 of 24 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Victoria
- 25-03-2017
best translation ever
I'm really enjoying this translation and the way it's been presented here with a cast of characters. It really helps to hear this as a dialogue.
I'm wondering if anyone might know who the translator was for this edition? I've checked out a few and so far, no luck. Allan Bloom seems to be the most recent as far as I've found, but that one's not it either.
anyone?
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 23-03-2017
Timeless wisdom
To understand the present sometimes you have to seek out the wisdom of the past. While this may have been written 2500 years ago it shows that the human condition truly is cyclical and that human nature doesn't evolve as much as it revolves around a few core precepts. If we are to protect our way of life we need more people who will seek wisdom for the love of wisdom. It is only through these true philosophers that our societies can reach there fullest potential.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 20-03-2017
Timeless
It's amazing how relevant the discussion is to the issues of today. I found myself constantly being able to relate to the arguments and apply the resolutions to my own personal questions of justice and the rule of man. The performance was captivating! It was more of a discussion than a story and each of the men had a different actor which made me feel as if I was sitting in the room with them. Overall I feel much wiser after listening and know these conclusions will strengthen my soul.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ajibola
- 06-03-2017
Great Book and great narration
Really enjoyed the narration. I especially like the background cheers and laughters, it made listening to this book more enjoyable for me.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ShrimpMan
- 12-07-2017
The best way to experience it
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I have friends who are avid readers that had issues getting through reading the first parts of this book so I opted for audio and I was really glad that I did. The whole book keeps building upon itself and the voice actors are great and make everything more intriguing. If you know about certain things before hand you get to hear them in practice and how effective they can be at swaying people's opinions, for example the Socratic method. Along with other ancient books you can really see that nothing is new under the sun and great minds were able to accurately summarize what would happen if governments took certain paths and if certain types of people held power. Well, social norms are being broken down and "progress" is being forced for no other reason than "moving somewhere" or "It's [insert current year]". There is so much to learn from this book and if you read other philosophical books such as Marcus Aurelius Memoirs, books that explain control and power, and even some psychology books you will hopefully begin to see how those in power are destroying that which is "just" in our society by manipulating feelings and other sophisms. Remember that next time you read a clickbait headline or see something strange in a movie or tv show. This should almost be required reading, or listening, in school but since it showcases some commonplace lies I don't think that will happen.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robert D. Johnson
- 11-04-2017
Well done contemporary translation
Any additional comments?
I've read excerpts from older English translations in years past. This was my first time to read the entire work and I found the translation in contemporary English, and the performance by multiple voices, to improve the whole experience greatly. I'd commend this to anyone who might have found the older language difficult.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Roger
- 26-02-2017
Great reading- surprisingly lacking content
I was surprised to find that I - and most modern readers - completely disagreed with most of what was said in this book. I found the arguments to be deeply flawed. I much enjoyed the other dialogues I have read more. I would still recommend this book on a historical basis.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful