# Law, Custom, and Legislation in Dialogues

> Theme guide for Dialogues by Plato.

The book investigates the origins of laws and government, the relationship between written law and unwritten custom, and the ideal legislator's role in creating a harmonious and virtuous society.

## Where it surfaces

- [Cratylus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/cratylus): The conventionalist vs. naturalist debate mirrors broader questions about social and legal norms.
- [Cratylus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/cratylus): The discussion of legislators and the correctness of names parallels the idea of laws being either natural or conventional.
- [On the Decline of Greek Literature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/on-the-decline-of-greek-literature): The chapter touches on how political freedom and national character influence literary excellence, and how their absence contributed to decline.
- [Euthyphro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/euthyphro): The case involves Athenian laws regarding murder and impiety, and Euthyphro's action challenges traditional family loyalties and legal customs.
- [Crito](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/crito): The dialogue explores the social contract between the citizen and the state, emphasizing the duty to obey laws even when they are applied unfairly.
- [Crito](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/crito): The dialogue personifies the Laws of Athens, emphasizing the citizen's duty to obey them as a binding social contract.
- [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-ii): Justice is described as a compromise enforced by law, arising from the inability to do injustice with impunity.
- [Critias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/critias): Critias details the laws of Atlantis inscribed on a pillar of orichalcum, the oath-taking rituals, and the judicial procedures among the ten kings.
- [Sophist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/sophist): The sophist's role in shaping opinion and convention is contrasted with the philosopher's concern for objective reality.
- [Statesman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/statesman): The Stranger critiques the rigidity of written laws and argues that the wise ruler should govern with flexible knowledge rather than being bound by fixed statutes.
- [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis): Explores the tension between fixed law and the living will of a wise ruler, and the role of the legislator in adapting laws to individuals.
- [Statesman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/statesman): The chapter explores the role of written laws and customs as approximations to true governance, and the consequences of ruling with or without law.
- [Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/laws): The chapter explores the purpose of law in cultivating virtue and maintaining order.
- [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis): Focuses on the legislator's duty to define good and evil, the importance of laws as models for writing, and the process of appointing magistrates and guardians of the law.
- [The Preamble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/the-preamble): Discusses the legislator's role in remedying injustice, punishing crimes, and establishing laws for homicide, orphans, and property disputes.
- [Excursus on the Relation of the Laws of Plato to the Institutions of Crete and Lacedaemon and to the Laws and Constitution of Athens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/excursus-on-the-relation-of-the-laws-of-plato-to-the-institutions-of-crete-and-lacedaemon-and-to-the-laws-and-constitution-of-athens): The chapter extensively analyzes Plato's legal principles, including the treatment of crimes, punishment, and the structure of the Magnesian constitution.
- [Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/laws): The chapter extensively discusses the legislator's role in creating laws that persuade citizens to virtue, including prefaces, penalties, and the definition of moderation.
- [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-i): The Athenian Stranger argues that laws should aim at virtue, ordering human goods with a view to the divine and mind, and that the legislator must oversee all aspects of life.
- [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-iii): The Athenian Stranger emphasizes the legislator's role in distributing honor and maintaining balance to prevent tyranny.
- [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-iv): The Athenian Stranger emphasizes the legislator's role in using persuasive prefaces and precise definitions to guide citizens toward virtue, contrasting with mere commands and penalties.
- [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-v): The Athenian Stranger extensively discusses the legislator's role in determining honors, wealth limits, and the division of the city, emphasizing obedience to laws as the highest virtue.
- [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-vi): The chapter extensively details the legislative framework for the ideal city, including the division of the state, the role of officers, and the process for amending laws over time.
- [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-vii): The chapter examines the limits of legislation in regulating private habits and the need for praise and blame alongside formal laws, especially regarding education and hunting.
- [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-viii): The chapter discusses how laws should regulate love, wealth, and military practices to foster a virtuous state.
- [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-ix): The chapter focuses on the role of the legislator in crafting laws that educate and improve citizens, with preludes to exhort criminals and punishments designed for betterment or removal.
- [Book X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-x): Laws are proposed to prohibit private religious rites and to punish impiety, reinforcing state control over worship.
- [Book XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-xi): The chapter is a detailed legislative discourse covering marriage, inheritance, slander, and property, emphasizing the role of law in maintaining social order.
- [Book XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-xii): The chapter is a detailed legislative code covering military conduct, funerals, and the reception of strangers, emphasizing the need for precise and enduring laws.
- [Appendix I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/appendix-i): The discussion touches on the proper rule of men and the idea that virtue, not tyrannical power, should be the aim of individuals and states.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/endnotes): Numerous citations to the Laws and Aristotle's Politics highlight discussions on legal systems, governance, and societal norms.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/themes/law_custom_and_legislation
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/themes