Book description
Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy
of Socrates in just one hour.
Socrates is widely renowned as one of the founders of Western
philosophy, despite the fact that his ideas survive largely through the
work of his pupil Plato. Socrates' dialectic - a method of aggressive
questioning - was the forerunner of logic; he used it to cut through the
pretentions of his adversaries and arrive at the truth. Socrates placed
philosophy on the sound basis of reason, believing it to be better to
question ourselves rather than the world around us and viewing the world
as inaccessible to our senses - only to thought. Charged with impiety
and the corruption of youth Socrates was eventually tried and sentenced
to death, ending his life by drinking the judicial hemlock.
Here is a concise, expert account of Socrates' life and philosophical
ideas - entertainingly written and easy to understand. Also included are
selections from Socrates' work, suggested further reading, and
chronologies that place Socrates in the context of the broader scheme of
philosophy. 'Well-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit
about them . . .I find them hard to stop reading.' New York Times
'Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise' Wall Street Journal
'Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of
time, place, and character . . . I cannot think of a better way to
introduce oneself and one's friends to Western civilization.' Boston Globe
'A godsend in this era of the short attention span.' New York Times
Paul Strathern has lectured in philosophy and mathematics and now lives
and writes in London. A Somerset Maugham prize winner, he is also the
author of books on history and travel as well as five novels. His
articles have appeared in a great many publications including the
Observer (London) and the Irish Times. His own degree in philosophy was
earned at Trinity College, Dublin.
