Classicist, author and broadcaster, Angie Hobbs, champions the public understanding of ancient philosophy in all of her work. Her latest book, Why Plato Matters Now, explores with brilliant clarity one of the most influential Greek philosopher’s thinking about abuses of political power and how public life and community can flourish. Her book shows how closely Plato’s ideas are intertwined with his own eventful life and times in Athens in the Fourth Century BC. The bitter 27-year civil war between Athens and Sparta, the Peloponnesian War, brought plague, famine and ultimately defeat to Athens, influencing Plato to seek social harmony and peaceful co-existence as overarching goals.

Each chapter connects Plato’s arguments to our current debates and asks how Plato’s adaptation of the methods of his mentor, Socrates, and his use of the dramatic dialogue form can enable us to deal more constructively with contested issues in culture, politics and religion today.

Angie Hobbs will be in conversation with author and Irish Times journalist, Joe Humphreys, whose stimulating weekly column, ‘Unthinkable’, explores the application of philosophy to public, societal and personal contexts.

On Why Plato Matters Now:
‘The definitive guide to Plato and his place in the modern world, written with all the passion, insight and clarity he deserves.’ – Daisy Dunn