"The Just City" is a science fiction novel by Welsh-Canadian author Jo Walton, first published in 2015. The novel explores philosophical and moral questions through a mixture of fantasy and science fiction.
The story begins with the goddess Athena gathering together philosophers from throughout history, including Plato and Socrates, to create a utopian city based on the principles outlined in Plato's "Republic." The city, known as the "Just City," is populated by children taken from various times and places throughout history and trained to become philosopher-kings.
The novel follows the experiences of several characters within the city, including a young woman named Simmea, who is taken from ancient Egypt, and Apollo, who takes human form to live among the inhabitants of the city. The story explores themes of justice, equality, free will, and the nature of power.
"The Just City" is notable for its blend of science fiction and classical philosophy, as well as its examination of the implications of Plato's ideas in a modern context. The novel also features a diverse cast of characters and addresses issues such as gender and sexuality.
The book was well-received upon its publication, and was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2015. It was followed by two sequels, "The Philosopher Kings" and "Necessity," which continue to explore the themes and ideas introduced in the first book.
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