The Platonic Tradition

Name: The Platonic Tradition
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: Peter Kreeft
ISBN: 9781470318420

Author: Peter Kreeft

Narrator: Peter Kreeft

Unabridged: 5 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 05/25/2012

Categories: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Synopsis

This engaging course of lectures begins by providing a detailed and accurate overview of Plato's philosophy and it's central idea - the idea of a transcendent reality that has popularly become known as the theory of the Forms. Professor Kreeft then takes us on a concise journey through Western Philosophical history to show how that central idea - the theory of forms - has either been built upon or reacted to by philosophers ever since. We explore not only the work of Plato, but also that of several other great voices in the Western Philosophical tradition - Aristotle, Plotinus, and Augustine - each of whom gave the forms a new metaphysical address. Later lectures explore both Christian Platonists and philosophical movements such as Positivism and Nihilism which have been anti-Platonist in their outlook. In the end we are left with a richer appreciation for Plato's work and its enduring legacy.

About Peter Kreeft

Peter Kreeft (PhD, Fordham University) is professor of philosophy at Boston College where he has taught since 1965. A popular lecturer, he has also taught at many other colleges, seminaries and educational institutions in the eastern United States. Kreeft has written more than fifty books, including The Best Things in Life, The Journey, How to Win the Culture War, and Handbook of Christian Apologetics (with Ronald Tacelli).

Reviews

Goodreads review by Keith on May 26, 2015

It's all in Plato, all in Plato: bless me, what do they teach them at those schools!......more

Goodreads review by Glenn on October 18, 2020

This is quite a good overview of the responses to Platonic metaphysics from a devoutly Catholic perspective. Peter Kreeft makes each topic feel important and relevant. This is not a dispassionate review of philosophical positions. Kreeft's positive and affirmative message makes this lecture series f......more

Goodreads review by Peter on September 08, 2025

Just read this for a second time. Even better than the first time. I ca not more highly recommend this book.......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on October 21, 2024

Excellent and engaging overview of the Platonic Tradition. Highly recommend for all adults to listen to these lectures. Learning about the many distortions of philosophy is foundational to understanding how we got to the point we are at in this postmodern world. We need to return to Plato, objective......more

Goodreads review by François on August 07, 2019

This is a fantastic read. I am very glad that Dr. Kreeft decided to take his Platonic lectures and put them into book format. I first came across this book's first 4 chapters (lectures) on Youtube as "The Plato Lectures" or "The Platonic Lectures". I recommend everyone to go listen to them, they are......more