What do you think?
Rate this book
Introducing Graphic Guides
Introducing Plato, New Edition (Introducing
Introducing Plato begins by explaining how philosophers like Socrates and Pythagoras influenced Plato's thought. It provides a clear account of Plato's puzzling theory of knowledge, and explains how this theory then directed his provocative views on politics, ethics and individual liberty.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
256 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Dave Robinson
62 books35 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 22, 2019
كتاب جيد وبسيط عن افلاطون، بدا بشرح موجز للحضارة والفكر اليوناني ثم اعطي نبذة عن أكثر من تأثر بهم افلاطون اولهم بالطبع سقراط ثم فيثاغورس وهيراقليطس
وبعدها تكلم عن اهم افكار افلاطون ومحاوراته وكتابه الاشهر الجمهورية ، لكني استغربت رأي افلاطون في الديمقراطية
فهو يري ان الديمقراطية صورة سيئة من الحكومة واعطي بذلك مثال للسفينة التي تشاجر الملاحون عليها كثيرا حتي اختاروا قائد مقنع لكنه غبي وانتهت الرحلة بكارثة
فافلاطون يؤمن بالدكتاتورية المعتدلة يقوم بها قلة من اهل المعرفة والحراس هم الحكام الشريعيين لأنهم يعرفون مثال الدولة الكاملة اما افراد الشعب العاديون فينبغي عليهم ان يتنازلوا عن حقوقهم وحرياتهم السياسية في سبيل الاستقرار والنظام المنسجم
كان ناقص يقول عجلة الإنتاج هتتأثر
وبعدها تكلم عن اهم افكار افلاطون ومحاوراته وكتابه الاشهر الجمهورية ، لكني استغربت رأي افلاطون في الديمقراطية
فهو يري ان الديمقراطية صورة سيئة من الحكومة واعطي بذلك مثال للسفينة التي تشاجر الملاحون عليها كثيرا حتي اختاروا قائد مقنع لكنه غبي وانتهت الرحلة بكارثة
فافلاطون يؤمن بالدكتاتورية المعتدلة يقوم بها قلة من اهل المعرفة والحراس هم الحكام الشريعيين لأنهم يعرفون مثال الدولة الكاملة اما افراد الشعب العاديون فينبغي عليهم ان يتنازلوا عن حقوقهم وحرياتهم السياسية في سبيل الاستقرار والنظام المنسجم
كان ناقص يقول عجلة الإنتاج هتتأثر
February 2, 2020
The Introducing...A Graphic Guide series is for beginners and has some cartoon illustrations, but it would be a mistake to assume they were for children. The books I read in the series put the person or subject into a perspective beyond simple facts. Introducing Plato-A Graphic Guide is no different. It couples Plato's accomplishments with vivid clarity and historical facts during his life time that provide relevant context. Even more interesting is the author and illustrator take the reader beyond his life and explain the philosopher's legacy. They touch upon those inspired by Plato to expand upon his work, but also critics of Plato. Although I studied Plato before, this book provided me with some facts I didn't know and clarified some things I didn't previously understand.
February 15, 2015
It's going by dialectical way among Plato and newer philosophies. It good one except something that annoy me which is the author of this book is fearing of dictatorship too much. It's a problem because when you thinking like that you can't think out of liberal democracy any more.
December 20, 2020
I ask myself why do I read introductions books on things I already read so much about, but I find this to be nice refreshment on Plato, well written and generally, a clear place to begin with.
December 26, 2017
Ultimately, it served as a well-written and light (yet useful) introduction to the massively influential Plato.
It may have gotten a higher rating had I been a bigger fan of the art style. As it is, I liked it and was glad that pictures were included, and my main issue was the unnecessary inclusion of a couple modern people in the scenes. They really only served to bring me out of the narrative as a kind of eyesore (though I can see why they may have been included).
In all, I'm glad I bought this (for $3) and can now eventually move on to reading The Apology (also bought for around that same price).
It may have gotten a higher rating had I been a bigger fan of the art style. As it is, I liked it and was glad that pictures were included, and my main issue was the unnecessary inclusion of a couple modern people in the scenes. They really only served to bring me out of the narrative as a kind of eyesore (though I can see why they may have been included).
In all, I'm glad I bought this (for $3) and can now eventually move on to reading The Apology (also bought for around that same price).
January 26, 2025
Very good intro to Plato for beginners.
March 3, 2022
Много интересна философия, поднесена с красиви илюстрации (и то на намаление!). Трябваше да чета някои изречения по над четири пъти, за да схвана смисъла им, но пък ми дадоха много почва за размишление.
Мога да кажа, че книгата е доста актуална - има дебати коя политическа система е най-добра по отношение на развитието на обществото. Авторитаризъм или демокрация? Сега, когато се образовам за взаимоотношенията между САЩ и Русия, мога да погледна по друг начин на народа им и принципите на управниците им.
Платон иска точни отговори за света, създава свои светове с ясни модели, които се предполага, че дават информация на нещата, които ни обграждат, какви форми да заемат и какви функции да изпълняват. Или нещо такова. Не съм съвсем в неговите облаци, моите са ми достатъчни.
Препоръчвам на любознателните! Образователна е и се чете доста бързо.
Мога да кажа, че книгата е доста актуална - има дебати коя политическа система е най-добра по отношение на развитието на обществото. Авторитаризъм или демокрация? Сега, когато се образовам за взаимоотношенията между САЩ и Русия, мога да погледна по друг начин на народа им и принципите на управниците им.
Платон иска точни отговори за света, създава свои светове с ясни модели, които се предполага, че дават информация на нещата, които ни обграждат, какви форми да заемат и какви функции да изпълняват. Или нещо такова. Не съм съвсем в неговите облаци, моите са ми достатъчни.
Препоръчвам на любознателните! Образователна е и се чете доста бързо.
Read
June 28, 2019funny little book (points you to more serious stuff)
you will eventually get a copy of the whole corpus platonicum anyway
you will eventually get a copy of the whole corpus platonicum anyway
August 26, 2024
a bit dry of an approach for this format but fascinating to learn more about plato and realize he was basically a fascist and shocked how no one talks about his both mystical and authoritarian ideas
August 23, 2021
This is a concise guide to the philosophy of Plato. Its numerous short (page-length) sections are logically arranged: beginning with background context – e.g. life in ancient Athens and the ways of Plato’s teacher, Socrates -- and ending with discussion of the post-Platonic world of Aristotle and later philosophers influenced by Plato’s work. Through the heart of this book, it explores the various dimensions of Plato’s philosophy: his epistemology, his take on virtue ethics, his political philosophy, his form-based conception of metaphysics, his thoughts on rhetoric, and his surprising rejection of art and poetry. Along the way, the book discusses about ten of the Socratic dialogues, specifically (others are mentioned in passing as they relate to topics under consideration,) as well as many of the well-known ideas that came from these works (e.g. Plato’s Cave from “Republic.”)
The book uses graphics to help convey ideas, mostly drawings that emphasize key points. There is also a “Further Reading” that lists some works that elaborate on Plato’s philosophy and life from various perspectives, as well as listing a number of the Socratic dialogues and whether they fall into the early, middle, or late phases of Plato’s career. (Note: There isn’t complete agreement on how many Socratic Dialogues were written by Plato – 35 is a disputed number, but one often cited. The importance of the period is that Plato appears to increasingly present his own ideas, rather than those of Socrates, who continues to serve as the central character in Plato’s writings.)
This book is highly readable, but skims the surface. Whether it will serve one’s purpose depends upon what one knows about Plato and his canon to begin with. I would recommend it for a neophyte who doesn’t want to get bogged down in a lot of obscure ideas or complex explanations.
The book uses graphics to help convey ideas, mostly drawings that emphasize key points. There is also a “Further Reading” that lists some works that elaborate on Plato’s philosophy and life from various perspectives, as well as listing a number of the Socratic dialogues and whether they fall into the early, middle, or late phases of Plato’s career. (Note: There isn’t complete agreement on how many Socratic Dialogues were written by Plato – 35 is a disputed number, but one often cited. The importance of the period is that Plato appears to increasingly present his own ideas, rather than those of Socrates, who continues to serve as the central character in Plato’s writings.)
This book is highly readable, but skims the surface. Whether it will serve one’s purpose depends upon what one knows about Plato and his canon to begin with. I would recommend it for a neophyte who doesn’t want to get bogged down in a lot of obscure ideas or complex explanations.
March 9, 2023
LITERATURE in PUNK ROCK - Books #9-10
BOOKS:
- Plato for Beginners (Cavalier)
- Introducing Plato: Graphic Guide (Robinson, Groves)
SONG: Shield Your Eyes by Jawbreaker
https://youtu.be/N4kO3jgP-6M
An early (demo) recording of "Shield Your Eyes" is Jawbreaker's first official release, appearing on Shredder Record's compilation - The World's In Shreds Volume Two 7" (1989). The song was re-recorded and released as the first track on their second LP: Bivouac (1991). The initial recording was later re-released as the first track on Etc., (2002): a self-released collection of b-sides, rarities and unreleased songs.
The song centers lyrical allusion heavily on Plato's Allegory of the Cave: this unconventional scholarly focus (for the genre) foreshadows the songwriter's later decades-long professorship in the Department of English at Hunter College (NYC).
---------------------------
There are two companies in the graphic nonfiction series of documentary comic books: For Beginners and Introducing...
Both arose from the same 1970s activist-based writer-publisher cooperative. The collective's translation of "Marx for Beginners" by Mexican political cartoonist Ruis became a critical success that launched numerous titles in the "For Beginners" series of illustrated documentary books.
In the 1980s internal disagreements soon arose causing the cooperative to disband with some members leaving to publish a separate US imprint. The "For Beginners" series then continued under two separate publishers, with notable cases of commissioned alternative copies of the others' works, leading to different copies being published under the same title. Decades later, the situation resolved and the London-based series rebranded as the "Introducing..." book series. Both continue to operate today.
BOOKS:
- Plato for Beginners (Cavalier)
- Introducing Plato: Graphic Guide (Robinson, Groves)
SONG: Shield Your Eyes by Jawbreaker
https://youtu.be/N4kO3jgP-6M
An early (demo) recording of "Shield Your Eyes" is Jawbreaker's first official release, appearing on Shredder Record's compilation - The World's In Shreds Volume Two 7" (1989). The song was re-recorded and released as the first track on their second LP: Bivouac (1991). The initial recording was later re-released as the first track on Etc., (2002): a self-released collection of b-sides, rarities and unreleased songs.
The song centers lyrical allusion heavily on Plato's Allegory of the Cave: this unconventional scholarly focus (for the genre) foreshadows the songwriter's later decades-long professorship in the Department of English at Hunter College (NYC).
---------------------------
There are two companies in the graphic nonfiction series of documentary comic books: For Beginners and Introducing...
Both arose from the same 1970s activist-based writer-publisher cooperative. The collective's translation of "Marx for Beginners" by Mexican political cartoonist Ruis became a critical success that launched numerous titles in the "For Beginners" series of illustrated documentary books.
In the 1980s internal disagreements soon arose causing the cooperative to disband with some members leaving to publish a separate US imprint. The "For Beginners" series then continued under two separate publishers, with notable cases of commissioned alternative copies of the others' works, leading to different copies being published under the same title. Decades later, the situation resolved and the London-based series rebranded as the "Introducing..." book series. Both continue to operate today.
February 11, 2019
Great Introduction
I'm just starting my education in philosophy, and Plato is my first stop. This book is a great primer and Introduction to Plato. It briefly covers Plato's life, his world, and then his philosophy.
I'm just starting my education in philosophy, and Plato is my first stop. This book is a great primer and Introduction to Plato. It briefly covers Plato's life, his world, and then his philosophy.
April 25, 2022
I consider myself a noob on Plato and the classics in general, so this book proved to be a useful introduction to the thinking of Plato and the contents of several books he wrote. After reading this, I am eager to read the Republic, the Symposium and the dialogues.
January 18, 2021
كتاب سهل الاسلوب، يعتمد على القليل من العبارات مع الكثير من الصور التوضيحية، وهي السمة المميزة لسلسلة أقدم لك.
يستعرض الكتاب حياة أفلاطون وعلاقته بالفيلسوف سقراط ومدى تأثره به. وفي خلال ذلك يتطرق سريعاً إلى موقف أثينا السياسي والثقافي والحضاري في ذلك الوقت. ثم يمر الكتاب سريعاً على أهم أعمال الفيلسوف وأبرز الأفكار التي ناقشها، مع إشارات لآثار فلسفته على الفلسفة الأوروبية المعاصرة.
الكتاب خيار ممتاز لمن يقرأ عن أفلاطون لأول مرة، أو لا يعرف عنه إلا القليل. والكتاب جيد أيضا لمن لا يزالون يلتمسون طريقهم في عا��م الفلسفة، مثلي، فهو يساعد على تنظيم معلومات القارئ السابقة ووضعها في إطار هادف. لكن الكتاب يفتقر إلى العمق الكافي للمهتمين بالفلسفة، وهي سمة عامة في تلك السلسلة، ولعل سبب ذلك أن السلسلة تهدف بشكل أكبر تعريف شريحة كبيرة من القراء بمواضيع جديدة بالنسبة لهم.
الكتاب في المجمل جيد ولا يخلو من ملاحظات وإشارات هامة.
يستعرض الكتاب حياة أفلاطون وعلاقته بالفيلسوف سقراط ومدى تأثره به. وفي خلال ذلك يتطرق سريعاً إلى موقف أثينا السياسي والثقافي والحضاري في ذلك الوقت. ثم يمر الكتاب سريعاً على أهم أعمال الفيلسوف وأبرز الأفكار التي ناقشها، مع إشارات لآثار فلسفته على الفلسفة الأوروبية المعاصرة.
الكتاب خيار ممتاز لمن يقرأ عن أفلاطون لأول مرة، أو لا يعرف عنه إلا القليل. والكتاب جيد أيضا لمن لا يزالون يلتمسون طريقهم في عا��م الفلسفة، مثلي، فهو يساعد على تنظيم معلومات القارئ السابقة ووضعها في إطار هادف. لكن الكتاب يفتقر إلى العمق الكافي للمهتمين بالفلسفة، وهي سمة عامة في تلك السلسلة، ولعل سبب ذلك أن السلسلة تهدف بشكل أكبر تعريف شريحة كبيرة من القراء بمواضيع جديدة بالنسبة لهم.
الكتاب في المجمل جيد ولا يخلو من ملاحظات وإشارات هامة.
February 5, 2019
تحمست لقراءته ظنًا مني إنه بيفصل عن المدينة الفاضلة ويتكلم عن آراءه بشكل يناسب الشخص اللي معلوماته بسيطة!
اللي صار إنه ترجمة صعبة الفهم، يحاول يغطي كل شي عن أفلاطون ومايعطي أي موضوع حقه، وماطلعت بولا شي سوى إنه:
يكره الديموقراطية ويربطها بالفساد والعنف لأنه عامة الناس اجمعوا على إدانة سقراط وحاكموه بالإعدام على أفكاره. ص١٢٠
ويكره كذلك أفراد الشعب "العامة" لأنه يسهل خداعهم والتلاعب بهم، لكن لو كانوا الأفراد جهلة فالأفضل تعليمهم بدال احتقارهم. ص١٢١
اللي صار إنه ترجمة صعبة الفهم، يحاول يغطي كل شي عن أفلاطون ومايعطي أي موضوع حقه، وماطلعت بولا شي سوى إنه:
يكره الديموقراطية ويربطها بالفساد والعنف لأنه عامة الناس اجمعوا على إدانة سقراط وحاكموه بالإعدام على أفكاره. ص١٢٠
ويكره كذلك أفراد الشعب "العامة" لأنه يسهل خداعهم والتلاعب بهم، لكن لو كانوا الأفراد جهلة فالأفضل تعليمهم بدال احتقارهم. ص١٢١
September 8, 2021
Quick concise read which gives a good synopsis of Plato's works and influences.
Interesting how it refuted all his main ideas as impractical or heinous and basically credited him only as the man who kicked things off officially in the realm of philosophy.
He asked all the major questions but got the answers all wrong according to this book.
Good taking off point which briefs you on all Plato's major works if you want to investigate deeper.
Interesting how it refuted all his main ideas as impractical or heinous and basically credited him only as the man who kicked things off officially in the realm of philosophy.
He asked all the major questions but got the answers all wrong according to this book.
Good taking off point which briefs you on all Plato's major works if you want to investigate deeper.
December 26, 2023
This is really well done especially in its feminist paradigmatic critiques of western rational thought. I’m happy that at least AN Whitehead made it in the book…but how do you leave out Nietszche and Deleuze altogether? And how is the total contribution of Hegel that he saw his own ideas in Plato? It’s sad when the most productive form of anti-capitalist feminism struggles to see itself in Hegel, Zizek, and Nietzsche for the same convoluted reasons that the patriarchy still rules. Since some of the books from this series get rewritten I would say you could add an entire new half of the book that’s mainly about Hegel, Nietzsche, Deleuze…and sure more Kristeva, why not!?
September 3, 2023
Compared to other books in this series, I would say that is the best one I've read. The language used is appropriate for beginners and the subject is explained in a very clear and simple way. Plato's philosophy is discussed according to the dialogues he wrote, so those who are interested in reading more would have an easy time in picking the primary sources. Truly an excellent intro!
August 29, 2023
Wonderful book ! A sweet desert after reading plato’s works…. A lot lot lot better than Oxford’s Short Introduction series…. Also has good suggestions on further readings on Plato…. Really really loved it….
December 6, 2016
Pretty good intro. I think the illustrator was so unimaginative that she drew herself over and over in the book, which was out of place and annoying.
May 25, 2018
This book made finding out what a wackadoodle Plato was incredibly painless. I love this series.
June 1, 2018
A decent overview of Plato's works and ideas. Any book like this makes much more sense when read in tandem with the actual works.
September 25, 2018
Funny (the ending graphic was too much) and layman-accessible.
April 21, 2019
decent intro, some simple summaries of platos ideas
January 8, 2020
Not a good introduction to Plato
Go to the source instead, you will learn much more and be misled much less. Unless you are only interested in a postmodern Plato...
Go to the source instead, you will learn much more and be misled much less. Unless you are only interested in a postmodern Plato...
March 1, 2020
Too soon. Too old didn't, Socrates and Plato did not go down well with me, or perhaps the book didn't do justice to their work. I guess I am gonna stick with philosophers of modern times.
March 9, 2020
A nice little book about plato and it could also a short introduction to philosophy
July 16, 2020
Good introduction to the thought of the great man
This book introduces this titanic figure in philosophy and takes the reader through his books and ideas. A fascinating read.
This book introduces this titanic figure in philosophy and takes the reader through his books and ideas. A fascinating read.
November 23, 2020
Fascinating and confusing
March 14, 2021
O introducere in filozofia lui Platon pe întelesul tuturor. Identifica probleme și da răspunsuri - cartea asta a fost exact așa cum ma așteptam sa fie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews