Plato's "Letters": The Political Challenges of the Philosophic Life

In Plato's Letters, Ariel Helfer offers a literal translation with extensive notes on historical context and manuscript transmission, presenting a necessary perspective for studying Plato's Letters as a work of Platonic philosophy. The Letters are seen as a single work, composed with a unity of purpose and coherent teaching, and intended to occupy an important place in the Platonic corpus. Helfer defends the literary unity thesis and highlights the political philosophic lessons revealed in the Letters, recuperating and rehabilitating a minority view that sees the Letters as a valuable resource for studying Platonic political philosophy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In Plato's Letters, Ariel Helfer presents to readers a highly literal translation of the Letters, accompanied by extensive notes on historical context and issues of manuscript transmission. His analysis offers a crucial perspective for those seeking to study Plato's Letters as a work of Platonic philosophy.

For centuries, scholars have engaged in a heated debate regarding the origin and significance of Plato's Letters. The prevailing view holds that the Letters constitute a miscellaneous collection of jewels and scraps from within and without Plato's literary estate. However, in a series of original essays, Helfer presents a compelling argument that the Letters were written as a cohesive and unified work, composed with a singular purpose and a coherent teaching. Throughout, Plato's artfulness and insight shine through, making the Letters an important addition to the Platonic corpus.

When viewed in this light, Plato's Letters takes on the form of an unconventional epistolary novel, a semi-fictional and semi-autobiographical literary-philosophic experiment. In it, Plato sought to guide his most discerning readers in delving deeper into the meaning of his own career as a philosopher, writer, and political advisor. By reviewing the scholarly history related to the Platonic letters, Helfer strengthens his case for the literary unity thesis, which posits that the Letters should be considered a single work. Furthermore, he highlights the political philosophic lessons concealed within the Letters, thereby reclaiming and revitalizing a minority view that holds that this misunderstood Platonic text holds immense new importance for the study of Platonic political philosophy.

Through his meticulous translation and insightful analysis, Ariel Helfer has provided readers with a valuable tool for exploring the rich tapestry of Plato's Letters. His work not only sheds light on the historical context and transmission of the Letters but also offers a fresh perspective on their philosophical significance. As such, Plato's Letters stands as a testament to the enduring power of Plato's ideas and the enduring relevance of his literary legacy.

Weight: 907g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501772894