With a new introduction placing Plato's great work at the heart of ancient concepts of human organization and justice, this new edition of The Republic is both accessible and essential. Much of traditional Western thought began in Antiquity, flowing from Platonic dialogues, The Republic being the most significant. Plato expresses the political, ethical and societal framework for the nature of the ideal state and defines the the notion of justice. This new, concise version is carefully edited for the modern audience.