Plato's 36 dialogues form a sort of world, an ordered whole. Within this world, we find penetrating explorations of justice, beauty, happiness, virtue, and the like. In this world of words we see the matters that matter most to us as well as their questionability--more clearly than if looking at the things themselves.

I'm Keith Whitaker. I have been studying Plato's works (and the tradition of philosophy that springs from them) more or less continuously for the last 30 years. I earned a Ph.D. in Social Thought from the University of Chicago, writing my dissertation on Plato. I taught philosophy at Boston College, edited a series of philosophical texts in translation, and wrote a book on Plato's Laws. I have also built a consulting practice working with families of significant wealth on how to live well, and in select cases I serve as an independent trustee. For many years I have served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Scholars.