Plato is indisputably one of the most important philosophers of all time, forming with Socrates and Aristotle the trio of great figures at the heart of classical philosophy. The Essential Plato brings together the thinker's writings with an accessible, informative, and entertaining introduction from Alain de Botton, which puts Plato in a historical context and explains why his life and work are still relevant today. Using the Benjamin Jowett translation, this volume includes the entire Republic; the Apology, which explores the trial and execution of Socrates; The Symposium, Plato's plunge into the nature of love and emotion; and The Laws, an updating of The Republic, focusing on specific social issues such as education, alcoholish, and--of course--"The Evils of Retail Trade"; and much more of Plato's writing.