When Philosophers Rule: Ficino on Plato's Republic, Laws & Epinomis (Commentaries by Ficino on Plato's Writings)

Searching for a definition of good government, this commentary from Marsilio Ficino examines three Platonic dialogues that have had a profound effect on Western statesmen and jurists. A leading scholar of the Italian Renaissance, who translated all the works of Plato into Latin, Ficino prepared these notes for Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of the republic of Florence, who aspired to be the kind of enlightened ruler Plato described Annotation. 'Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils, - no, nor the human race, as I believe, - and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day' - Republic, Book V With these words Plato expressed his ideal form of government. Often dismissed as unrealizable, they have appealed down the ages to men of goodwill. Having translated all of the Dialogues from Greek into Latin, at the request of his Medici patrons, Ficino was asked to prepare summaries by Lorenzo de' Medici, the de facto ruler of the republic of Florence, who aspired to be the kind of enlightened ruler Plato described. Marsilio Ficino (1433-99) was one of the most influential thinkers of the Renaissance. He put before society a new ideal of human nature, emphasising its divine potential. As head of the Platonic Academy in Florence, and as teacher and guide to a remarkable circle of men, he made a vital contribution to the changes that were taking place in European thought. With the collapse of the global economy calling the wisdom of our political leaders into question, this publication is a timely reminder of those principles which have formed the basis of good government and inspired statesmen down the ages. This four-volume series consists of Gardens of Philosophy, 2006, Evermore Shall Be So, 2007 and All Things Natural, 2010, and contains all Ficino's commentaries not previously translated into English. As Carol Kaske of Cornell University wrote when reviewing Gardens of Philosophy in Renaissance Quarterly, these translations fill 'A need. Even those Anglophone scholars who know Latin still need a translation in order to read quickly through a large body of material' Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Translator’s Note......Page 9 Foreword......Page 10 PART ONE The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Republic......Page 14 First Book......Page 16 Second Book......Page 21 Third Book......Page 25 Fourth Book......Page 29 Fifth Book......Page 34 Sixth Book......Page 39 Seventh Book......Page 43 Eighth Book......Page 53 Ninth Book......Page 55 Tenth Book......Page 58 PART TWO The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Laws......Page 84 First Book......Page 86 Second Book......Page 95 Third Book......Page 98 Fourth Book......Page 104 Fifth Book......Page 115 Sixth Book......Page 119 Seventh Book......Page 126 Eighth Book......Page 134 Ninth Book......Page 140 Tenth Book......Page 147 Eleventh Book......Page 160 Twelfth Book......Page 164 PART THREE The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Epinomis......Page 172 A Summary of Epinomis......Page 174 Index......Page 185 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Translator’s Note 9 Foreword 10 PART ONE The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Republic 14 First Book 16 Second Book 21 Third Book 25 Fourth Book 29 Fifth Book 34 Sixth Book 39 Seventh Book 43 Eighth Book 53 Ninth Book 55 Tenth Book 58 PART TWO The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Laws 84 First Book 86 Second Book 95 Third Book 98 Fourth Book 104 Fifth Book 115 Sixth Book 119 Seventh Book 126 Eighth Book 134 Ninth Book 140 Tenth Book 147 Eleventh Book 160 Twelfth Book 164 PART THREE The Commentary of Marsilio Ficino to Plato’s Epinomis 172 A Summary of Epinomis 174 Index 185 085683257X,9780856832574 Shepheard-Walwyn Pt. 1. The Commentary Of Marsilio Ficino To Plato's Republic -- Pt. 2. The Commentary Of Marsilio Ficino To Plato's Laws -- Pt. 3. The Commentary Of Marsilio Ficino To Plato's Epinomis. Arthur Farndell [translator]. Includes Index. Parallel Latin Text With English Translation.