Πολιτικός

A philosophical dialogue written in the 4th century BC. The work focuses on the nature of political authority and governance, deepening the exploration of the philosopher's role in politics. Key characters in the dialogue include Socrates and a character named Xenophon, who engage in discussions about the distinctions between different types of rulers and the essence of political knowledge. At the start of ''Πολιτικός,'' Socrates is conversing with Theodoros and Xenon, reflecting on previous discussions about the philosopher as a political figure. The dialogue notes a transition from addressing sophistry to examining the qualities and responsibilities of political leaders. The characters set the stage for a deeper analysis by agreeing to distinguish between various types of knowledge and skills related to governance, proposing a systematic classification of disciplines that leads to an understanding of what it means to be a true ruler or leader. The conversation aims to develop a clearer definition of the political art, implying that governance is more than mere authority but involves wisdom and intentionality.