The Principle of Decay, or: Why are there Four Bad Regimes in Platon's Politeia?

  • Published In: American Journal of Philology, 2023, v. 144, n. 3. P. 351 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Enache, Cătalin 3 of 3

Abstract

The paper examines the four-step degeneration of the ideal state in Books 8 and 9 of Platon's Politeia (timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, tyranny) and addresses the question of the number, choice, and succession of bad regimes. Against the common view which considers this part of the Politeia a confusing and structureless narrative, it is argued that the four steps of the devolution represent a systematic account based on the tripartition of the state and the soul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:American Journal of Philology. 2023/09, Vol. 144, Issue 3, p351
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0002-9475
  • DOI:10.1353/ajp.2023.a922566
  • Accession Number:176214075
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of American Journal of Philology is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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