Open Socrates by Agnes Callard review – a design for life
Agnes Callard's "Open Socrates" emphasizes self-enquiry and confronting existential questions, critiques superficial Socratic methods, and advocates for a philosophical life valuing complex inquiry over simplistic answers.
Read original article
Agnes Callard's "Open Socrates" presents a contemporary interpretation of Socratic philosophy, emphasizing the importance of self-enquiry and the challenges of confronting profound existential questions. Callard critiques the superficial application of the Socratic method, arguing that it demands a serious commitment to questioning our assumptions rather than merely serving as a rhetorical tool. She introduces the "Tolstoy Problem," highlighting the dangers of avoiding significant questions about the meaning of life, as exemplified by Tolstoy's own existential crisis. Callard suggests that Socrates provides a model for engaging with these difficult inquiries, contrasting him with figures like Oliver Cromwell, who failed to apply critical reflection to themselves. The book explores Socratic ideas without getting bogged down in historical accuracy, focusing instead on their relevance today. Callard illustrates the Socratic method's potential to expose intellectual hypocrisy and enhance self-knowledge, likening Socrates to a "midwife" and "gadfly" who challenges complacency. Ultimately, "Open Socrates" advocates for a philosophical life that embraces the complexities of inquiry and the shared journey toward understanding, rather than offering easy answers or quick fixes.
- Agnes Callard explores the relevance of Socratic philosophy in contemporary life.
- The book addresses the importance of self-enquiry and confronting existential questions.
- Callard introduces the "Tolstoy Problem," emphasizing the dangers of avoiding significant inquiries.
- Socrates is portrayed as a model for critical reflection and intellectual honesty.
- The work advocates for a philosophical life that values the journey of understanding over simplistic solutions.
Related
Good conversations have emergent properties
Good conversations foster co-created ideas and deeper understanding, requiring presence and engagement. Overcoming barriers like information asymmetry and asking deeper questions can enhance vulnerability and authenticity, impacting lives significantly.
Staring into the abyss as a core life skill (2022)
The concept of "staring into the abyss" emphasizes confronting uncomfortable truths for personal growth. Successful individuals adapt by acknowledging mistakes, while avoidance leads to poor life choices and stagnation.
The Vital Necessity of Old Books (2023)
Joel J. Miller defends reading ancient texts, arguing they provide cognitive diversity, challenge modern biases, and foster critical thinking, essential for innovation and understanding history in contemporary discourse.
The Varieties of Mystical Experience
Simon Critchley's book "Mysticism" argues for the relevance of mystical experiences today, highlighting their presence in art and literature, while critiquing academic dismissal and acknowledging historical marginalization, especially of women.
My Pal, the Ancient Philosopher
Engaging with ancient philosophers like Mengzi enhances personal growth and ethical understanding by nurturing innate virtues, fostering self-reflection, and providing insights for navigating contemporary ethical dilemmas.
8 commentsI’m terrible at picking words. Can’t stand the popular notion of “debate,” internet or in person; so much uncharitable interpretation, obtuseness and deflection, and being held to a standard of angelic impeccable speech when trying to express something.
Intellectual consistency can be vastly overrated. I don’t pretend to have answers, I still have convictions that can’t be proven. I get by to a fair extent on vibes and faith—and the faith that if I continue re-examining myself, I might hope to approach truth, and might be a better person.
Paraphrased, if I know I am close to death, maybe an hour away, and I know there's no time left to change things, how will I feel about my legacy or net outcome of my existence?
I find it a useful contemplative exercise that everyone could do from time to time, especially a few world leaders IMHO.
It's easy for one's subconscious to feed the line that, yes, I'll sort it all out tomorrow. But it's the "no time left" constraint that focuses the mind.
And the "Tolstoy" problem was expressed (better?) in Socrates' time via Ecclesiastes (~ even kingdoms turn to dust) and Silenus (~ better not to be born), the dual perils of materialism and spirituality.
So it's pretty hard to tell if a review of a book about dialogs about Socrates hasn't lost all connection to relevance, but there's good reason to believe that understanding Socrates now is relevant, and the book might help.
Philosophy is just taking responsibility for our unavoidable phenomenological fictions to avoid the delusions and violence of their blind spots and projections -- good science and good ethics. The alternative is not science or realpolitik but obliviousness (which is nevertheless often required in the practice of both).
Socrates as an ugly stonemason would have been ignored in Athenian society - not even given an ear, regardless of any wisdom.
But Socrates was a war hero. You can imagine how effective a strong, squat stonemason would be in a melee. In the midst of particularly horrible defeat and retreat, he managed to save some of the elites (and their armor/honor) by not freaking out.
Imagine how conflicted he might feel about society after seeing friends die horribly, and brutally bashing so many enemies, and then being celebrated for it.
On Socrates' return from that war, he meets the beautiful young Charmides, and they discuss the untranslatable virtue "sophrosyne". Think of it as the virtue appropriate to retreat and peace, by comparison to courage as the virtue of attack and war.
At the time the dialog was written, Charmides had grown up to become one of the democratic tyrants that destroyed Athens. It was the youth flocking to Socrates (for his critique of received wisdoms?) that led to Socrates' condemnation and death after his students grew up to ruin Athenian society.
Tech is experiencing a similar turn in the public mind, for many of the same reasons. Through careful analysis and opportunism, it effectively displaced scleric systems, but with exploitative ones beyond society's control.
There's as much value to be saved in a calm peace as to be taken in deploying every new weapon as soon as it's available. But there seem to be far fewer such leaders.
https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/socrates-98cdl?rq=S...
It's ironic that she holds up Socrates, a man who was murdered by his own fellow citizens, as a figure who managed to "find a way through".
http://web.archive.org/web/20250111022130/https://www.newyor...
Related
Good conversations have emergent properties
Good conversations foster co-created ideas and deeper understanding, requiring presence and engagement. Overcoming barriers like information asymmetry and asking deeper questions can enhance vulnerability and authenticity, impacting lives significantly.
Staring into the abyss as a core life skill (2022)
The concept of "staring into the abyss" emphasizes confronting uncomfortable truths for personal growth. Successful individuals adapt by acknowledging mistakes, while avoidance leads to poor life choices and stagnation.
The Vital Necessity of Old Books (2023)
Joel J. Miller defends reading ancient texts, arguing they provide cognitive diversity, challenge modern biases, and foster critical thinking, essential for innovation and understanding history in contemporary discourse.
The Varieties of Mystical Experience
Simon Critchley's book "Mysticism" argues for the relevance of mystical experiences today, highlighting their presence in art and literature, while critiquing academic dismissal and acknowledging historical marginalization, especially of women.
My Pal, the Ancient Philosopher
Engaging with ancient philosophers like Mengzi enhances personal growth and ethical understanding by nurturing innate virtues, fostering self-reflection, and providing insights for navigating contemporary ethical dilemmas.