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A review by saareman
How to Think Like Socrates: Ancient Philosophy as a Way of Life in the Modern World by Donald J. Robertson
5.0
Socrates 101
A review of the St. Martin's Press Kindle ARC via NetGalley, obtained in advance of the official hardcover/ebook/audiobook (November 19, 2024).
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest philosophy/self-help mashup from author Donald J. Robertson who also works as a Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist. This current book follows the life of Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (c470-399 BC) by paraphrasing / retelling his teachings & dialogues from the later writings of his students / followers such as Plato (c428-348 BC) and Xenophon (c430-355 BC).
Socrates in the Modern World. Image sourced from a Grok AI creation.
There are no surviving writings by Socrates himself, so what we have are his so-called Socratic dialogues with various historical characters as later recorded by his followers. Reading the translations of works such as Plato's [b:Apology|73945|Apology|Plato|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1212606317l/73945._SY75_.jpg|1692879] (Socrates' defense at his trial before his verdict, sentencing and execution for impiety and corruption of youth) and other works can sometimes be pretty hard going (see Project Gutenberg for examples).
Robertson has distilled those thorny tracts into a reader user-friendly life-story which incorporates the then current historical events of the struggles of Greek democracy in the age of Pericles, Alcibiades and the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta and then the later period of the Thirty Tyrants. Periodically there are interludes where the question and answer methods of Socratic dialogue are shown as reflected in the methods of modern behavioral therapy.
My thanks to the author, the publisher St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
Quotes
I know they say that you shouldn't use quotes from advance reading copies, but I just couldn't resist noting these passages about the autocratic general Cleon (? - 422 BC) because they seem to presciently forecast a certain politician and even current events in 2024.
Trivia and Link
If you are reading this before the November 19, 2024 release date and can still pre-order the book, you can also register for a free Zoom session with the author on the release date and for promotional materials which will follow via email on November 20, 2024 at the author's substack website here.
A review of the St. Martin's Press Kindle ARC via NetGalley, obtained in advance of the official hardcover/ebook/audiobook (November 19, 2024).
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest philosophy/self-help mashup from author Donald J. Robertson who also works as a Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist. This current book follows the life of Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (c470-399 BC) by paraphrasing / retelling his teachings & dialogues from the later writings of his students / followers such as Plato (c428-348 BC) and Xenophon (c430-355 BC).
Socrates in the Modern World. Image sourced from a Grok AI creation.
There are no surviving writings by Socrates himself, so what we have are his so-called Socratic dialogues with various historical characters as later recorded by his followers. Reading the translations of works such as Plato's [b:Apology|73945|Apology|Plato|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1212606317l/73945._SY75_.jpg|1692879] (Socrates' defense at his trial before his verdict, sentencing and execution for impiety and corruption of youth) and other works can sometimes be pretty hard going (see Project Gutenberg for examples).
Robertson has distilled those thorny tracts into a reader user-friendly life-story which incorporates the then current historical events of the struggles of Greek democracy in the age of Pericles, Alcibiades and the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta and then the later period of the Thirty Tyrants. Periodically there are interludes where the question and answer methods of Socratic dialogue are shown as reflected in the methods of modern behavioral therapy.
My thanks to the author, the publisher St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
Quotes
I know they say that you shouldn't use quotes from advance reading copies, but I just couldn't resist noting these passages about the autocratic general Cleon (? - 422 BC) because they seem to presciently forecast a certain politician and even current events in 2024.
Cleon, a businessman whose wealth came from his family's tannery, emerged as a political outsider, a demagogue who quickly gained popularity by attacking the ruling elite. He evolved into a radical populist, appealing to the lower classes with a distinctive approach in the Assembly, characterized by his cynicism, aggression, and forthrightness.
...
In the aftermath of the plague, as Athens tried to reassert herself, Cleon's rhetoric became more violent, crude, and aggressive, as he attacked his critics rather than refuting them, but most often he carried the Assembly with him. Soon, this kind of outlandish behavior became normalized, and the political climate at Athens degenerated into partisan bickering.
...
Genuine statesmen gave way to demagogues, who stoked the fear and anger of the citizens and pandered to their greed and other vices.
Trivia and Link
If you are reading this before the November 19, 2024 release date and can still pre-order the book, you can also register for a free Zoom session with the author on the release date and for promotional materials which will follow via email on November 20, 2024 at the author's substack website here.