Timaeus and Critias - Softcover

Plato

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1420933914 ISBN 13: 9781420933918

Publisher: Digireads.com, 2009

Synopsis

Two late dialogues of Plato designed to be part of a trilogy that the philosopher did not finish, "Timaeus" and "Critias" utilize a few select men to theorize on the natural world and to tell a story of the lost city of Atlantis. "Timaeus" is a treatise, written in Socratic dialogue form in 360 BC, that speculates on the nature of the physical world, the purpose of the universe, properties of the universe, the creation of the world soul, the elements, and the golden ratio. It is followed by the dialogue "Critias," which tells the tale of the powerful island kingdom of Atlantis. Though the people are the offspring of a god, their human nature begins to corrupt them. They attempt to conquer Athens but fail because of the Athenians' well-ordered society. Just as Zeus begins to decree their punishment, however, the incomplete work comes to an end. Though not extant, this pair of dialogues is clearly the writing of a brilliant mind posing and considering creative ideas.

About this title

About the Author:

Plato (c. 427-347 b.c.) founded the Academy in Athens, the prototype of all Western universities, and wrote more than twenty philosophical dialogues.

Desmond Lee (1908-1993) taught for many years at Cambridge University..

About this edition

• Publisher: Digireads.com
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1420933914
• ISBN 13: 9781420933918
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 84