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How long does it take to read Statesman?

Plato

Statesman by Plato takes about 3 hours 7 minutes to read at 250 words a minute.

About 3 hours 7 minutes

A weekend read

First published 1935. 170 pages, about 46,750 words.

7 days at 30 minutes a day

Estimate based on 275 words per page.

At other speeds

Slow, 150 words a minute 5 hours 12 minutes
Average, 250 words a minute 3 hours 7 minutes
Fast, 400 words a minute 1 hour 57 minutes

The page count is the median across 93 editions, so your copy may differ. How we calculate.

About the book

The Statesman is Plato's neglected political work, but it is crucial for an understanding of the development of his political thinking. In some respects it continues themes from the Republic, particularly the importance of knowledge as entitlement to rule. But there are also changes: Plato has dropped the ambitious metaphysical synthesis of the Republic, changed his view of the moral psychology of the citizen, and revised his position on the role of law and institutions. In its presentation of the statesman's expertise, the Statesman modifies, as well as defending in original ways, this central theme of the Republic. This new translation is based on the revised Oxford Text of Plato and makes accessible the dialogue to students of political thought in clear and contemporary language. The introduction sets the argument in the context of the development of Plato's thought, and outlines the philosophical and historical background necessary for a full understanding of the text, particularly for a political theory readership.

Subjects: Political science, Ancient Philosophy

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