Divine Law and Political Philosophy in Plato's "Laws"

Mark J. Lutz

Published by Cornell University Press 2012

Divine Law and Political Philosophy in Plato's "Laws"

Mark J. Lutz

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501756931

Overview
Contents

About this book

All over the world secular rationalist governments and judicial authorities have been challenged by increasingly forceful claims made on behalf of divine law. For those who believe that reason—not faith—should be the basis of politics and the law, proponents of divine law raise theoretical and practical concerns that must be addressed seriously and respectfully. As Mark J. Lutz makes plain in this illuminating book, they have an important ally in Plato, whose long neglected Laws provides an eye-opening analysis of the relation between political philosophy and religion and a powerful defense of political rationalism.

Plato mounts his case, Lutz reveals, through a productive dialogue between his Athenian Stranger and various devout citizens that begins by exploring the common ground between them, but ultimately establishes the authority of rational political philosophy to guide the law. The result will fascinate not only political theorists but also scholars at all levels with an interest in the intersection of religion and politics or in the questions that surround ethics and civic education.

Author / Editor information

Mark J. Lutz is assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and author of Socrates Education to Virtue.

Reviews

Lutz has written the best first book to read on Plato's Laws. It is free of jargon, straightforward, and accessible in its presentation. Though the title suggests a narrow focus on laws that claim a divine origin, Lutz leads readers to see that the real subject is education to virtue. Highly recommended.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 1. The Minos and the Socratic Examination of Law Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	12
Chapter 2. The Rational Interpretation of Divine Law Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	33
Chapter 3. The Examination of the Laws of Sparta Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	54
Chapter 4. Divine Law and Moral Education Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	90
Chapter 5. The Problem of Erotic Love and Practical Reason under Divine Law Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	116
Chapter 6. Perfect Justice and Divine Providence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	134
Chapter 7. The Savior of Divine Law Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	183
Modern Works Cited Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	193
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	197

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 210
Keywords: Socrates; Athenian Stranger; religious philosophy; secular rationlist government

eBook

Published: April 15, 2012
ISBN: 9781501756931