Does Plato Still Matter Today? with Angie Hobbs

20 snips

Aug 9, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Angie Hobbs, a Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy, navigates the enduring relevance of Plato in our modern lives. She emphasizes how Plato's dialogues invite us to confront pressing questions about justice, love, and leadership. Hobbs argues that reconnecting with his teachings helps tackle contemporary issues like nihilism and interpersonal dynamics. She also explores the modern notions of heroism and the responsibility in relationships, asserting that philosophical inquiry remains essential in today’s complex world.

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INSIGHT

Flourishing Equals Moral And Intellectual Excellence

Plato ties flourishing to moral and intellectual excellence.
Angie Hobbs says this view draws people into caring about how to live.

INSIGHT

Philosophy As Dialogue, Not Monologue

Plato writes in dialogues to involve readers in enquiry.
Angie Hobbs notes Plato never writes in his own voice to provoke questioning.

INSIGHT

Eudaimonia Is Not Mere Happiness

Eudaimonia is fulfilling your capacities, not mere happiness or pleasure.
Angie Hobbs stresses it remains an attainable objective even in hardship.

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Can ancient philosophy make sense of a modern life?

In this episode, Sophie Scott-Brown speaks to academic philosopher and author Angie Hobbs about the enduring relevance of Plato and how his ideas continue to resonate in today’s world.

Plato’s Republic remains a foundational text to Western thought. Hobbs brings us back to this key text and reminds us that throughout all of Plato’s writing the narrator is always present. Plato’s true legacy, therefore, lines in the questions he forces us to ask – about justice, leadership, love and truth. His methodology of inquiry still underpins much of modern philosophy, shaping both its ideals and its blindspots. For Hobbs, Plato is more relevant than ever, and we should view his works not as relics but tools necessary in our modern world. Regardless of whether we’re reading ancient texts or scrolling through social media, one thing remains true: no opinion is free from context.

Angie Hobbs is the Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. She is a specialist in Ancient Greek philosophy, focusing on ethics, political theory, and moral psychology. Her new book, Why Plato Matters Now, a definitive guide to Plato and his place in the modern world.

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