Sophist and Statesman.

These two dialogues by the greatest of the ancient Greek philosophers explore a vital concern of a democratic society: how to define the special abilities and qualities that make a genuine statesman.

They further examine the distinction between an authentic statesman and the sophist, an individual who pretends to be a statesman but lacks the essential knowledge, personal qualities, and philosophical outlook.

Written after Parmenides — in which the philosopher condemned his own theory of separate, immaterial forms — Sophist and Statesman are of special interest in terms of their reflection of Plato's conceptions of method and metaphysics.

In addition, Statesman provides a transitional view of the author's political philosophy in the period between the Republic and the Laws.

Together, the dialogues illuminate Plato's growing preoccupation with practical knowledge, offering a more informal and pragmatic approach than his earlier works.

This edition features the acclaimed translations by Benjamin Jowett.