Plato's Philebus

The <em>Philebus </em>is an extraordinarily creative and profound examination of what makes for a good human life containing some of Plato's most sophisticated discussions of moral psychology knowledge metaphysics and philosophical methodology. The <em>Philebus</em>had a far greater influence on Aristotle's ethics than the frequently studied <em>Republic</em> - yet historians of philosophical ethics have relatively neglected it and existing commentaries tend to emphasize certain aspects at the expense of others. This edited volume the first of its kind brings together leading scholars of ancient philosophy to take a fresh and comprehensive look at this important work. Each essay focuses on a relatively brief section of the <em>Philebus</em> and discusses the passages methodically covering topics such as pleasure knowledge philosophical method and the human good in detail. The result is not and is not intended to be a commentary nor does it aim to present a unified interpretation. It is instead a series of close original philosophical examinations often in conversation with each other which together provide continuous coverage of the <em>Philebus</em>. This reference work a useful resource for teaching and studying is valuable reading for researchers scholars graduate students and advanced undergraduates interested in Plato ancient Greek ethics and in the history of ethics.<br>