From philosopher Agnes Callard one of today's leading public intellectuals comes a new and
vibrant understanding of Socrates his work and his unique approach to learning Socrates
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 today's youths to introduce
them to philosophy. We've 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 don't 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 ways-for 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 one's own death and how to approach
politics. In the process she gives us nothing less than a new ethics to live by.
