The Laws (Penguin Classics) - Plato

“The Laws” is Plato’s longest and most detailed dialogue, offering a sweeping vision of how a just society should be structured and governed. Unlike the idealism of The Republic, The Laws is practical and legislative, focusing on real-world questions of political organization, lawmaking, education, and the balance between reason and tradition.

The dialogue takes place among three aging philosophers discussing how to found a new colony. What unfolds is a comprehensive blueprint for a civic life rooted in virtue, balance, and philosophical guidance.

This Penguin Classics edition delivers a modern and accessible translation, ideal for anyone studying political philosophy, law, or classical civilization.

Main Themes of the Book

• Law as a tool for ethical and social development
• Education and virtue as pillars of the ideal state
• The relationship between reason, religion, and governance
• Balancing freedom and discipline in civic life
• The role of aging, tradition, and compromise in politics

Reasons to Read this book from ''Penguin Classics'' series

• Plato’s last and most practical work
• Offers a foundational vision for constitutional governance
• A precursor to later thinkers like Aristotle, Hobbes, and Rousseau
• Engages with themes of freedom, order, and moral education
• A must-read for students of philosophy, law, and political science

Plato’s “The Laws” is one of the earliest—and most ambitious—attempts to codify a system of government grounded in philosophical principles. It is an essential text for anyone interested in the foundations of law, justice, and statecraft, offering insight not only into ancient Athens but into the eternal challenges of human governance.