Plato and Platonism

Name: Plato and Platonism
Author: Walter Pater

By Walter Pater

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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A set of essays offers close readings of central Platonic doctrines and dialogues, examining concepts such as motion, rest, number, the theory of Ideas, dialectic, and the relation between Socrates and the sophists. The writer traces literary methods, aesthetic judgments, and political thought, including treatment of the Republic and Lacedaemon, and argues for a unity in Plato's philosophical imagination. Critical analysis and appreciative commentary are combined with historical context and aesthetic reflection to clarify Plato's modes of argument and the persistent philosophical questions his writings present.

About the Author

Walter Pater

Walter Pater was an English essayist, critic, and novelist, known for his influential works on aesthetics and art criticism. His writing often explored the relationship between art and life, emphasizing the importance of beauty and sensory experience. Pater's notable works include "Marius the Epicurean," a philosophical novel that delves into themes of pleasure and the pursuit of a meaningful existence. He also contributed significantly to literary criticism with essays such as those found in "Appreciations, with an Essay on Style," where he examined the styles of various authors. Pater's ideas played a crucial role in the development of the Aesthetic Movement in the late 19th century.