DOI
10.1017/apa.2018.9
Abstract
In the Laws, Plato argues that the legislator should attempt to persuade people to obey the laws voluntarily. This persuasion is accomplished through use of legislative preludes. In this essay, I argue that Plato's use of persuasive preludes shows that he endorses the core features of a public reason theory of political justification.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2018
Publisher Statement
© 2025 Cambridge University Press 2025
Appearing quarterly, the Journal of the American Philosophical Association provides a platform for original work in all areas of philosophy. The Journal aims to publish compelling papers written in a way that can be appreciated by philosophers of every persuasion and to review papers quickly and fairly, encouraging succinct, constructive reports.
Recommended Citation
Director, Samuel. 2018. "Justice in the Laws, a Restatement: Why Plato Endorses Public Reason." Journal of the American Philosophical Association 4 (2) (Summer): 184-203. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2018.9.
