Laws

In The <strong>Laws</strong> Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system oflegislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia. His la... » 

In The Laws Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system oflegislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia. His laws not onlygovern crime and punishment but also form a code of conduct for all aspects oflife in his ideal state from education sports and religion to sexualbehavior marriage and drinking parties. Plato sets out a plan for the daytoday rule of Magnesia administered by citizens and elected officials withsupreme power held by a Council. Although Plato s views that citizens shouldact in complete obedience to the law have been read as totalitarian The Lawsnonetheless constitutes a highly impressive program for the reform of societyand provides a crucial insight into the mind of one of classical Greece sforemost thinkers. «