{"product_id":"platos-cosmology-international-library-of-philosophy-timaeus","title":"Plato's Cosmology (International Library of Philosophy) - Timaeus","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Plato's Cosmology (Volume IV of the International Library of Philosophy), the bottom line is clear: this edition is for readers who want a careful modern English translation of the Timaeus paired with scholarly, line-by-line interpretation. Francis MacDonald Cornford's 1937 text remains valuable because it combines a readable translation with a running commentary that addresses practical problems of interpretation, making it useful for students and instructors of ancient philosophy as well as serious readers seeking context rather than a mere reproduction of the Greek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTranslation quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cornford provides a clear English rendering of the Timaeus that preserves philosophical nuance while remaining accessible to non-specialists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRunning commentary:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book includes a continuous commentary that discusses interpretive problems, helping readers follow Plato's arguments and textual difficulties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly context:\u003c\/strong\u003e As part of the International Library of Philosophy series, the volume situates the Timaeus within broader ancient thought and scholarly debate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolume in series:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is Volume IV of a ten-volume Ancient Philosophy set, which benefits readers who want continuity across related texts and commentaries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Originally published in 1937, the work reflects long-standing scholarly approaches and remains a useful historical commentary for comparative study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlato's Cosmology is well suited to upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and independent scholars who need a reliable translation accompanied by interpretive notes. The combination of text and line-by-line commentary makes it particularly helpful for seminar preparation, close reading, and courses on Platonic natural philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a contemporary critical apparatus with the latest secondary literature or a heavily annotated critical edition may prefer more recent commentaries; likewise, casual readers who want a short, popular summary of Plato's cosmology might find this volume more detailed and academic than necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelpful running commentary that illuminates difficult passages and interpretive choices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFaithful, readable translation that keeps philosophical subtleties intact for informed readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValuable placement within a ten-volume Ancient Philosophy series for comparative study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 1937 publication date means the commentary does not reflect the most recent scholarship and debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlato's Cosmology (International Library of Philosophy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Editor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrancis MacDonald Cornford\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInternational Library of Philosophy, Volume IV of ten\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTranslation of the Timaeus with running commentary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal publication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1937\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAncient Greek philosophy, Platonic cosmology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlato's Cosmology is a worthwhile purchase for students and scholars who want a clear translation plus a continuous scholarly commentary that addresses interpretive problems. It represents good value for those building a library of classical texts and is particularly useful when read alongside other volumes in the series, though readers seeking the newest critical scholarship should supplement it with more recent studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this volume contain the full text of the Timaeus?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book presents Plato's Timaeus in translation together with Cornford's running commentary on the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a modern critical edition with updated notes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The edition was originally published in 1937 and reflects scholarship of that period, so consult newer commentaries for recent debates and bibliography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited this volume?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe translation and commentary are by Francis MacDonald Cornford as part of the International Library of Philosophy series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Francis MacDonald Cornford","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48192572883163,"sku":"0415613906","price":61.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61fQRlmZ7ZL._SL1298.jpg?v=1769477519","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/platos-cosmology-international-library-of-philosophy-timaeus","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}