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Socrates’ interlocutors couldn’t help finding themselves inspired to want to become the kind of people who think ignorance is the worst thing there is.
“Philosophy…is…a form of love. It may state unequivocally, “This is wrong. This is not the way to live.” But it does so without banishing people from the room, condemning wrong beliefs and bad actions, but treating people, always, with attention and respect.”
― The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis
― The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis
“[Tolstoy's] "Confession" reads as a cautionary tale: Stay away from fundamental questions! Keep yourself busy enough to ensure your gaze never has time to turn inward, because, once it does, you put yourself on the road to self-destruction.”
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
“And what kind of person am I? One of those who would be pleased to be refuted if I say anything untrue, and who would be pleased to refute anyone who says anything untrue; one who, however, wouldn’t be any less pleased to be refuted than to refute.”
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
“Being like Socrates” just means being open-minded, and willing to admit when you are wrong, and unafraid to ask challenging questions. This is not an ethical theory. It is more like a critical-thinking “sauce” that can be poured over any ethical theory, or simply over common sense.”
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
― Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
“Human life, Rousseau understood, begins not in democracy but in monarchy. The baby, on whom caregivers ardently dote, has no way of surviving except by making slaves of others. Babies are so weak that they must either rule or die. Incapable of shared work or reciprocity, they can get things only by commands and threats, and by exploiting the worshipful love given them by others. (In letters, Rousseau made it clear that this was why he abandoned his children: he just didn’t have time to be at a baby’s beck and call.)”
― The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis
― The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis
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