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The question is asked, 'Whether the state of innocence which is

described in the myth, or a state like our own which possesses

art and science and distinguishes good from evil, is the

preferable condition of man.' To this question of the comparative

happiness of civilized and primitive life, which was so often

discussed in the last century and in our own, no answer is given.

The Statesman, though less perfect in style than the Republic and

of far less range, may justly be regarded as one of the greatest

of Plato's dialogues.