This book, first published in English in 1933, provides a detailed analysis of the life and concepts of the Greek philosopher Plato. The Essence of Plato's Philosophy explores epistemology and ontology, the philosophy of nature, ethics and the philosophy of the state, and aesthetics and religion. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy.

This book, first published in English in 1933, provides a detailed analysis of the life and concepts of the Greek philosopher Plato. The Essence of Plato's Philosophy explores epistemology and ontology, the philosophy of nature, ethics and the philosophy of the state, and aesthetics and religion. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy.

This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

The ESSENCE OF PLATOS PHILOSOPHY CONSTANTIN Professor of Philosophy, Tubingen TRANSLATED BY ADAM ALLESA Assistant Professor of Philosophy St. Johns College, Annapolis, Maryland LONDON GEORGE ALLEN UNWIN LTD MUSEUM STREET The German original, Kerngedanken der plqhbntschen Philosopkie was first published in Munich in FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH IN IQ33 All rights reserved PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY UNWIN BROTHERS LTD., WOKING TRANSLATORS PREFACE Professor Constantin Ritter needs no introduction to students of Plato. For nearly half a century he has been writing books and articles on Plato. But in spite of his. trenSiidous achieve ments and of the fact that the best Plato scholars are indebted to him, he has remained largely unknown to wide circles of students of philosophy. The reason, no doubt, is that he writes in a language which is none too well known by many students of philosophy in the Western Hemisphere. I consider it a privilege, therefore, to make this volume on Platos philosophy accessible to the English reading public. It embodies the researches of a lifetime and as the Gelman title, Kerngedanken der platonischen Philosophic indicates, it contains the essence of Professor Ritters monumental two-volume work on Plato. 1 In translating this work I kept two things constantly in mind. First, I tried to be as faithful to the original as possible. I did not paraphrase, except perhaps a little in one or two small sections. It was my purpose to let Professor Ritter speak. Second, I attempted to the best of my ability to let Professor Ritter speak as good English as possible. This was not always easy nor was I always very successful. As for this, the reader must judge for himself. Iwish that it had been possible to submit the entire translation to Professor Ritter for his criticism and suggestions. He read a few pages of the manuscript, and the results were such that I greatly regret that he could not read all of it. For assistance with the translation, special acknowledgment is due to my wife whose time was greatly encroached upon and whose patience, no doubt, was at times unduly tried. I also wish to express my gratitude to Dr. J. E. Turner, Reader 1 Platon, Sein Leben, seine Schriften, seine Lehre. Vol. I, C. H. Beck, Miinchen, 1910, pp. 588. Vol. II 3 C. H. Beck, Miinchen, 1923, pp. 910. 8 THE ESSENCE OF PLATOS PHILOSOPHY in Philosophy in the University of Liverpool, who kindly read the manuscript and made valuable suggestions. I alone, how ever, am responsible for the imperfections and shortcomings of the translation. ADAM ALLES ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION My researches in Plato were the occasion for acquainting my self thoroughly with similar investigations in other countries. In this connection, I learned most from English scholars, whose whole manner of research and interpretation especially appealed to me. It was, therefore, a great satisfaction and encouragement to me to observe that English scholars in turn regarded my work as worthy of consideration. My Unter suchungen tiber Plato 1888 was welcomed in a friendly manner by Lewis Campbell, with whose chronological determinations my investigations were in remarkably close agreement. When, after many carefully planned attempts, I had finally completed 1923 my comprehensive new interpretation of Platos life, literary activity, and philosophy, I was honoured by A. E. Taylor, who indedicating his splendid book, Plato, The Man and His Work, To all true lovers of Plato, quick and dead, singled me out in particular. 1 Science does not allow itself to be completely hampered by national boundaries. Since Latin has ceased to be the language of the educated world, however, the particular languages of the individual cultural peoples constitute hindrances and limits, which not everyone can overcome...

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

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