Philosophy 101 by Socrates: An Introduction to Philosophy via Plato’s Apology by Peter Kreeft, first published in 2002, is a concise text and the first of a 7-book series.
As stated in the introductory section, this book is an introduction to Socrates as well as to philosophy. According to Kreeft who at the time of publishing had “taught all levels of philosophy to all kinds of students for forty years”, he has never found a more effective way than to begin with Socrates.
One of the reasons is that the writings are in the form of dialogue which draws the reader in.
When we read Plato’s Socratic dialogues, it is almost like having the “Father of Philosophy” himself present as your teacher.
This book is not written in Socratic dialogue. The other 6 books Socrates Meets… are written as dialogue between Socrates and the modern philosopher he is examining.
At under 150 pages, the text is organized into three parts, each based on a dialogue by Plato featuring Socrates.
I. The Apology of Socrates: Philosophy Defended examines “Forty Things Philosophy Is” based on the said dialogue which is Socrates’s speech at this trial.
The forty attributes of philosophy are listed on the section’s opening pages. Each attribute is discussed in its own bite-sized sub-section, typically around two pages long; for example, “1. Philosophy is ignorant”, “2. Philosophy is selfish”, “3. Philosophy is ironic”… Kreeft reproduces the relevant parts of the speech to support his point.
II. From the Euthyphro: Philosophy Exemplified demonstrates the so-called Socratic method in action.
The dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro is set a short time before Socrates’s trial. The discussion is basically an examination of the classic question, “Is what is holy holy because the gods approve it, or do they approve it because it is holy?”
Approximately the first half of the dialogue is reproduced before Kreeft discusses its themes and method in 16 points. Given the question, the themes include God’s will and goodness, and religious faith versus philosophical reason.
III. From the Phaedo: Philosophy Martyred discusses the dialogue between two of Socrates’s friends, Echecrates and Phaedo. The latter along with some of Socrates’s other friends was present at the prison in which Socrates was held and drank the poison. At the request of Echecrates who was not present, Phaedo gives his account of their last conversations with Socrates and his death. It should be noted that Plato was not present that day.
The opening section of the dialogue is reproduced before Kreeft discusses its themes in 16 points. Amongst other things, it is about the immortality of the soul, justice and life after death, and the importance “doing” philosophy.
Although not absolutely necessary to read Plato’s works as Kreeft does reproduce the relevant excerpts with references, it may be helpful to read them anyway. Whilst Phaedo is admittedly long, the Apology and Euthyphro are both short.
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