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Product Description A challenging new look at the great thinkers whose ides have shaped our civilization From Socrates to Sartre presents a rousing and readable introduction to the lives, and times of the great philosophers. This thought-provoking book takes us from the inception of Western society in Plato’s Athens to today when the commanding power of Marxism has captured one third of the world. T. Z. Lavine, Elton Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University, makes philosophy come alive with astonishing clarity to give us a deeper, more meaningful understanding of ourselves and our times. From Socrates to Sartre discusses Western philosophers in terms of the historical and intellectual environment which influenced them, and it connects their lasting ideas to the public and private choices we face in America today. From Socrates to Sartre formed the basis of from the PBS television series of the same name. From the Inside Flap ocrates To Satre presents a rousing and readable introduction to the lives, and times of the great philosophers. This thought-provoking book takes us from the inception of Western society Plato's Athens to today when the commanding power of Marxism has captured one third of the world. T.Z. Lavine, Elton Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University, makes philosophy come alive with astonishing clarity to give us a deeper, more meaningful understanding of ourselves and our times. From Socrates To Satire discusses Western philosophers in terms of the historical and intellectual environment which influenced them, and it connects their lasting ideas to the public and private choices we face in America today From Socrates To Satre formed the basis for the PBS television series of the same name. From the Back Cover "From Socrates To Satre presents a rousing and readable introduction to the lives, and times of the great philosophers. This thought-provoking book takes us from the inception of Western society Plato's Athens to today when the commanding power of Marxism has captured one third of the world. T.Z. Lavine, Elton Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University, makes philosophy come alive with astonishing clarity to give us a deeper, more meaningful understanding of ourselves and our times. "From Socrates To Satire discusses Western philosophers in terms of the historical and intellectual environment which influenced them, and it connects their lasting ideas to the public and private choices we face in America today "From Socrates To Satre formed the basis for the PBS television series of the same name. About the Author T.Z. Lavine is currently Elton Professor of Philosophy at George Washington University. Professor Lavine received a Ph.D. from Harvard University and has received, among other awards, the Josiah Royce Fellow in Philosophy and a research fellowship in philosophy (Harvard). The author of numerous articles and books, Professor Lavine wrote and presented From Socrates to Sartre as a television series for the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting, a series which is now included in the curriculum of the National University Consortium. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. 1 VIRTUE IS KNOWLEDGE No one must have any private property whatsoever, except what is absolutely necessary. Secondly, no one must have any lodging or storehouse at all which is not open to all comers … They must live in common, attending in messes as if they were in the field … They alone of all in the city dare not have any dealings with gold or silver or even touch them or come under the same roof with them. Is this a description of an ascetic religious order? Or of a communist group in training for a secret mission? Or is it a science-fiction account of a society of the future preparing for a space war? It is actually Plato’s requirements for the ruling class of his ideal Republic. (Republic, Book III, 415 E.) Plato is the most celebrated, honored and rev