Plato's Dialogue on Friendship: An Interpretation of the "Lysis', with a New Translation / Edition 1

by Plato, David Bolotin

Overview

Originally published in 1979, Plato's Dialogue on Friendship is the first book-length interpretation of the Lysis in English, offering both a full analysis and a literal translation of this frequently neglected Platonic dialogue.

David Bolotin interprets the Lysis as an important work in its own right and places it in the context of Plato's other writings. He attempts to show that despite Socrates' apparent failure to discover what a friend is, a coherent understanding of friendship emerges in the Lysis. His commentary follows the dialogue closely, and his interpretation unfolds gradually, as he is providing a detailed summary of the Lysis itself.

Mr. Bolotin's translation captures the playfulness and rich ambiguities of the Lysis and its effectiveness as conversational drama. His book, written with precision and clarity, should be useful to students of political philosophy and ancient philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801495618
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	03/15/1989
Series:	Agora Editions
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.52(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Bolotin teaches at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland.

Editorial Reviews

Bolotin has provided us with a novel interpretation of this dialogue, which must be seriously reflected on by anyone who wishes to give an account of this work in the future.

Review of Metaphysics

The translation is... accurate—indeed, meticulous.... It gives us... as close a guide to the style of Plato as is possible in English.

Philosophy and Rhetoric

Bolotin has provided us with a novel interpretation of this dialogue, which must be seriously reflected on by anyone who wishes to give an account of this work in the future.

-- "Review of Metaphysics"

The translation is... accurate--indeed, meticulous.... It gives us... as close a guide to the style of Plato as is possible in English.

-- "Philosophy and Rhetoric"

From the Publisher