Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life

Agnes Callard

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Language: English

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2025

0241476194 / 9780241476192

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A Book of the Year according to The Telegraph and Prospect'A gem of a book, serious and clever yet funny and playful' Financial Times 'Professor of philosophy and a public intellectual for the internet age, Callard shows how Socrates can inform the way we live our lives from romance to politics' GuardianSocrates has been hiding in plain sight. We call him the father of Western philosophy, but what exactly are his philosophical views? He is famous for his humility, but readers often find him arrogant and condescending. We parrot his claim that 'the unexamined life is not worth living,' yet take no steps to live examined ones. We know that he was tried, convicted, and executed for 'corrupting the youth,' but freely assign Socratic dialogues to todays youths, to introduce them to philosophy. Weve lost sight of what made him so dangerous. In Open Socrates, acclaimed philosopher Agnes Callard recovers the radical energy at the centre of Socrates thought and shows why it is still the way to a good life.Callard draws our attention to Socrates startling discovery that we dont know how to ask ourselves the most important questions about how we should live, and how we might change. Before a person even has a chance to reflect, their bodily desires or the forces of social conformity have already answered on their behalf. To ask the most important questions, we need help. Callard argues that the true ambition of the famous Socratic method is to reveal what one human being can be to another. You can use another person in many waysfor survival, for pleasure, for comfort but you are engaging them to the fullest when you call on them to help answer your questions and challenge your answers.Here Callard shows that Socrates method allows us to make progress in thinking about how to manage romantic love, how to confront ones own death, and how to approach politics. In the process, she gives us nothing less than a new ethics to live by. . The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.…

Seller Inventory # GOR014081142

Title
Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life
Author
Agnes Callard
Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London
Publication year
2025
Condition
Very Good
Binding
Paperback
Language
English
ISBN 10
0241476194
ISBN 13
9780241476192
Item weight
630 grams
Dimensions
160.0 x 241.0

WorldofBooks

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In 2002, World of Books Group was founded on an ethos to do good, protect the planet and support charities by enabling more goods to be reused. Since then, we've grown into to a global company pioneering the circular economy. Today, we drive the circular economy through three re-commerce brands: - Wob: Through Wob, we sell. We provide affordable, preloved books and media to customers all over the world. A book leaves our collection of over seven million titles and begins a new chapter every two seconds, enabling more goods to be reused. - Ziffit: Through Ziffit, we buy. We give people around the world the opportunity to contribute to the circular economy, earn money and protect the planet, by trading their unwanted books and media. - Shopiago: Through Shopiago, we help others. By sharing the technology that has grown World of Books Group into the business it is today, we’re helping charities increase revenue and reduce waste through re-commerce.…

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