Laws
Plato
Read by Geoffrey Edwards
Laws is Plato's final and most extensive dialogue, exploring the foundations of a just society and the role of law in governance. Written during his later years, this work reflects Plato's deep contemplation on political philosophy, shaped by his earlier experiences and failures, particularly his attempts to influence the tyrant of Syracuse.
Set against the backdrop of ancient Greece, Plato engages in a profound discussion about the nature of justice, the ideal state, and the responsibilities of citizens. Through a series of dialogues, he examines how laws can shape moral character and promote the common good, offering insights that resonate through the ages.
Unlike his earlier works, which often focus on individual virtue and philosophical ideals, Laws delves into the practicalities of governance and the complexities of human behavior. This dialogue serves as a critical exploration of the balance between freedom and order, making it a significant text for anyone interested in philosophy, politics, and the evolution of legal thought.
Chapters
Select a chapter to play
| Book I (Part I) | 39:16 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book I (Part II) | 43:37 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book II | 1:09:56 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book III (Part I) | 43:29 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book III (Part II) | 42:29 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book IV | 1:01:46 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book V | 1:05:41 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book VI (Part I) | 53:33 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book VI (Part II) | 50:13 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book VII (Part I) | 59:21 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book VII (Part II) | 58:58 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book VIII | 1:11:46 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book IX (Part I) | 57:04 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book IX (Part II) | 42:36 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book X (Part I) | 41:49 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book X (Part II) | 47:30 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book XI (Part I) | 53:44 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book XI (Part II) | 34:18 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book XII (Part I) | 41:45 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards | |
| Book XII (Part II) | 53:47 | Read by Geoffrey Edwards |
Reviews
Actually didn't mind the robotic reading
A LibriVox Listener
The reader might lack some style, but, let's consider the subject. There isn't very much room for artful delivery to begin with, and if it was over done, the book would be impossible to follow. I think better under played than overplayed in something like this. He consistently gives clear delivery, and although he doesn't do much to make dry material any less dry, he at least doesn't make it any more hard to digest. The only thing about his delivery at all was the way he said "and" every single time. (More of an "a-yund" that interrupts sentences.) I didn't mind his reading mostly, and the book is extremely interesting.
needs another reader
A LibriVox Listener
i respect Geoffrey for taking such a dutifulness to record such great texts. that being said I absolutely canNOT stand hearing his voice and delivery of words. He's so damn boring
Great book!
Great read
Appreciate all the hard work to preserve this audio treasure.
interesting, but...
potuc
If I was giving a review for only the content of the writing, it would certainly get five stars, as this, like all Socratic dialogues, is an important piece of ancient history. Unfortunately, this is an audiobook review, and thusly it is focused not on the content of the text, but on the skill of the reader. While it is true that every word is pronounced clearly, they are also pronounced as if the objective is to bore the listener to sleep as quickly as possible. In particular, the reader pauses for an aggravating amount of time whenever an instance of the word "and" appears. However, the reader is still intelligible, which is more than can be said, sadly, for a good 10% of the volunteers on LibriVox. For this reason, I will be giving two stars, rather than one.
text to speech would be better
Higgo
unable to comprehend more than three words, due to narrator going low every three words.
Read by a Robot?
Marselius
Narrator voice is incredibly annoying and disorienting.
narrators voice is not for this genre
Oculus
A LibriVox Listener
several people have already commented on the mechanical nature of the recording and I found it to be a bit dry and annoying first but by book three, it became almost addictive. At times I wished for some emotion but then I figured that this type of reading leaves the interpretation up to the listener more than to the reader.