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Plato's Laws - Book IV: Leadership by Reason

Plato's Laws - Book IV: Leadership by Reason

FromPlato's Pod: Dialogues on the works of Plato


Plato's Laws - Book IV: Leadership by Reason

FromPlato's Pod: Dialogues on the works of Plato

ratings:
Length:
125 minutes
Released:
May 26, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Book IV of Plato's longest dialogue, The Laws, places the spotlight on the qualities of virtuous leadership as the three characters - the unnamed Athenian, Clinias from Crete, and Megillus from Sparta - discuss the establishment of Crete's new colony. The skill of the leader, says the Athenian, must help guide the colony through the risks and rewards of chance and opportunity. These, he says, reign supreme in the universe where God, not man, is the measure of all things. A spirited discussion ensued when members of the Toronto, Calgary, and Chicago Philosophy Meetup groups convened on April 28, 2024. We brought the themes of The Laws squarely into the 21st century, as participants raised similarities between the discussion written 2,400 years ago and the current global political situation. One member recalled that God, as defined in Book X, is Reason, and Reason is both the origin and middle of the universe. We discussed the possible benefits of the lengthy justifications of laws that the Athenian introduces. We also noted that at several points Book IV reminds us that the colony will embody a mixture of political styles, partially democratic and partially monarchical, like the constitutions of Crete and Sparta which are the homes of two of the three characters.
Released:
May 26, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (62)

Welcome to Plato's Pod, a bi-weekly podcast of a group discussion on the dialogues of Plato. The discussion is held through Meetup.com by the Toronto Philosophy and Calgary Philosophy groups and anyone interested in participating, whether to learn about Plato or to contribute to the dialogue, is welcome to join with no experience required! The podcast is hosted by amateur philosopher James Myers and inquiries can be e-mailed to dialoguesonplato@outlook.com. Wherever we go in our discussions we gain knowledge from each other’s perspectives, and for the increase in knowledge we invite everyone to add their voice to the dialogue. Plato, without a doubt, would have imagined no better way than in dialogue for knowledge – the account of the reasons why – to find its home.