On Socrates

Wadsworth Philosophers Series

by Hope May

This brief text assists students in understanding Socrates' philosophy and thinking so that they can more fully engage in useful, intelligent class dialogue and improve their understanding of course content. Part of the "Wadsworth Philosophers Series," (which will eventually consist of approximately 100 titles, each focusing on a single "thinker" from ancient times to the present), ON SOCRATES is written by a philosopher deeply versed in the philosophy of this key thinker. Like other books in the series, this concise book offers sufficient insight into the thinking of a notable philosopher better enabling students to engage in the reading and to discuss the material in class and on paper.

Genres: Philosophy

92 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 1999

Reviews

[Dymbula · Rating 4 out of 5]

S´krates je mou oblíbenou historickou, možná i smyšlenou, postavou, takže cokoliv o něm je pro mě zajímavé. Buď toho hodně uměl a nebo ho dobře někdo vymyslel.

[遠藤桜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chinese version. Lovely starting book. Successfully arouse my interest in reading Plato!

[Greg Hovanesian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good break down on who Socrates was and why he was important, even if he never wrote anything down. Socrates challenged the standard ways of thinking and looking at things at the time, and while this opened a lot of eyes, it also angered and embarrassed a lot of people (when it was shown that they, in fact, couldn't answer his questions). Ultimately he was killed for his way of thinking. Hope May does a wonderful job of letting us imagine what it was like to be in a conversation with him, and she uses a lot of modern reference points, such as Coca-Cola and Hilary Clinton, to keep our minds from getting lost in Ancient Greece. After reading this book, there is no arguing that he helped create what we think of as philosophy today: he educated Plato, the first philosopher to put a metaphysical plan in writing, and he was also one of the first pure logicians that we know of. All of this being said, if I was to travel back in time in talk with Socrates, there is a chance he would be annoying; but I'm glad that I now understand why he would possibly be annoying.

[Zaki Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely starting book for those interested in dwelling into philosophy, logic and reason. Structured and concise with review questions and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. It covers about Socrates' role in the Athenian society, his trail, his method of cross-examinations and refutations called elenchos and his argument of not escaping from the prison. Throughout the book, there are many key ideas and dynamics about the moral principles and the way we think and about wisdom.