How to Think Like Socrates
Ancient Philosophy as a Way of Life in the Modern World
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
How can we apply the teachings of the greatest ancient philosopher to modern life?
Socrates is the quintessential Athenian philosopher, the source of the entire Western philosophical tradition, and Godfather to the Stoics. He spent his life teaching practical philosophy to ordinary people in the streets of Athens, yet few people today are familiar with the wisdom he has to offer us.
How to Think Like Socrates is an accessible and informative guide to the life of one of the greatest thinkers in history, and the first book to focus on applying his ideas to our daily lives. Author Donald J. Robertson transports readers back to ancient Athens, expertly weaving together a page-turning account of a philosopher who eschewed material pleasures and stood by his beliefs, even in the face of controversy, with a steadfastness that ultimately resulted in his execution.
How to Think Like Socrates highlights the continuing value of the Socratic Method to modern life. As a practicing cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, Robertson also uses his expertise to reveal many parallels between the evidence-based concepts and techniques of modern psychology and the philosophy of Socrates, and shows how his philosophical insights can guide and benefit all of us to this day.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Socratic principles can help people live more fully and freely, according to this energetic "semi-fictional" account of the philosopher's life. Enriching Socrates's dialogues with narration and historical detail, psychotherapist Robertson (How to Think Like a Roman Emperor) draws philosophical lessons that connect to modern-day therapeutic concepts. For example, he relates a dialogue in which Socrates proposed that humans combat "ignorance of ourselves" by studying their own character through their "reflection" in others to the practice of illeism, where therapy patients refer "to own thoughts and actions as if were talking about those of someone else" in order to boost self-awareness. Elsewhere, the author presents a dialogue where Socrates argues that "knowledge can overcome pain or pleasures" and outlines a "rational theory of passions" that weighs present desires against the longer-term consequences of one's actions, similar to the cost-benefit analysis method used by cognitive behavioral therapists. Robertson draws incisive links between modern psychotherapy to ancient philosophy, bringing Socratic dialogues to life through colorful narration and detail. It's a creative look at the enduring relevance of an ancient thinker.
