The Republic

The Republic is Plato’s foundational work on justice, governance and the ideal society. It presents a dialogue where Socrates explores what makes a state just and what justice means for individuals. This text lays the groundwork for political philosophy by interrogating the nature of power, the roles of rulers and citizens, and the tension between the individual good and the collective welfare.

What struck me most is Plato’s vision of philosophy as the highest form of leadership, a guide for rulers who must balance wisdom and authority to create a fair society. It challenges readers to think about the structures that shape human life and the possibility of a just order.

Books to continue this path:

• Symposium, Plato 

• Apology, Plato 

• Crito, Plato