Walter Pater "Plato and Platonism."
English essayist, literary and art critic, and writer of fiction (1839-1894).
“By Platonism,” the author clarifies, “is meant not Neo-Platonism of any kind, but the leading principles of Plato’s doctrine, which I have tried to see in close connexion with himself as he is presented in his own writings.” The critique here presented of Plato’s work is never independent of Plato as a man or Plato as philosopher, but rather enables Pater to study the close relation between author and text. The diversity of areas covered is in itself a fine achievement, and Pater is able to give each area enough attention to make it self-sufficient (each chapter was originally a lecture), yet at the same time, he succeeds in unifying all the areas to make for a well-structured book. Especially interesting are the chapter which explores the relationship between Plato and Socrates; the chapter on Plato’s aesthetics; the chapter on Plato’s Republic; and the chapter dealing with the relationship between Plato and the Sophists.
London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd. 1920.
Hardcover without DJ.
Used book. Minor shelf wear. Tear on 1 page inside. Quite well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong.