I would be doing the same thing I’m doing now, too! I’m a care manager (social worker) helping seniors in my community. I love it and it’s so fulfilling! I remember being 13 years old and learning that you could get paid to help people - I thought that was amazing, because I loved helping and now could make a career out of it. Woot!
I would ask him what he thought of Plato and if he thought Plato was a worthy successor to advocate for his ideas. Also whether he would agree that philosophers should be king.
That's a good question. Xenophon never mentions Plato but instead perhaps implies that Antisthenes was the one of those Socrates admired most among his circle of friends.
But almost everything we know about Socrates is through Plato. Therefore I would want to know if Socrates thought Plato would accurately reflect his views. We have quite a different picture from Aristophanes.
He'd start by saying ask yourself and other people lots of questions, and listen carefully to the answers. But in Xenophon's Memorabilia he also says we should begin by examining our assumptions about what constitutes a good life and identifying conflicting evidence.
I am content in my life right now - raising my kids and homeschooling them (one graduating in June, the next, 2 years later), working part time at a bookstore with a boss and colleagues I love working with, and pursuing relationship building with my church and community.
A couple things I'd like to do that I am not (currently) able to do with my time - have more time to *think*, and also have a role or job that is in the vein of creation care/stewardship. We have a local A Rocha that I can see myself being quite useful at. All in good time.
I'm not familiar with Socrates much (aside from knowing what the 'socratic method' is), but this story of life-long patronage was interesting!
I'm not sure what I'd ask him - perhaps...what would be his favorite 5 books ever published? You can learn a lot by asking anyone this question!
I would ask him what he thought of Stoicism, other philosophies, and religions in relation to his ideas and study of man. Great post! Can’t wait to read the book!
I know of a really good author who could probably draw some likely conclusions and create a fictional story that has some of the most famous philosophers discussing such topics at the Stoa Poikile.
He just released a book on Socrates so it’s perfect timing to get started… haha
Thanks for all the great wisdom over the years! Big fan
He touches on this briefly in his conversation with Cephalus in Book 1 of Plato's Republic, although it's more that he's asking Cephalus how he handles growing old, and the advice he gives is interesting but a bit vague perhaps.
And just where are Crito’s descendants living. I d pitch a tent on some land, rent out the rest to tent dwellers, and hit those coffee shops. To go online. Graciously!
I’d like to ask, “Socrates, should a Day of Thanksgiving be officially declared & celebrated by humans every year? In Greece, in Canada, and throughout the known World?”
Can we determine logically whether or not we as individuals have certain characteristics? In other words if we define what we mean can we conclude whether we are humble, honest or unbiased for example? Or are these traits which only others can ascribe to us?
Such a great piece, I ask myself this question all the time like Camus--"What is the ultimate purpose of my being here ? " Like Socrates-Perhaps even asking and examining the question brings illumination==perhaps we have to ask the question over and over again.
"What is the wise thing to do ? To find a passion for living in a meaningless Universe " Camus
I would be doing the same thing I’m doing now, too! I’m a care manager (social worker) helping seniors in my community. I love it and it’s so fulfilling! I remember being 13 years old and learning that you could get paid to help people - I thought that was amazing, because I loved helping and now could make a career out of it. Woot!
"Because the Joy that comes to the gods, and those who imitate them is unbroken and never ceases " Seneca
I would ask him what he thought of Plato and if he thought Plato was a worthy successor to advocate for his ideas. Also whether he would agree that philosophers should be king.
That's a good question. Xenophon never mentions Plato but instead perhaps implies that Antisthenes was the one of those Socrates admired most among his circle of friends.
But almost everything we know about Socrates is through Plato. Therefore I would want to know if Socrates thought Plato would accurately reflect his views. We have quite a different picture from Aristophanes.
We mainly know of Socrates from Plato but we also have about forty Socratic dialogues written by Xenophon. (And various minor sources.)
I would love to discuss with Socrates his idea of the soul. This book sounds great. I just restocked it. Thank you for featuring it.
I’d ask him to tell me what I should do to be wise
He'd start by saying ask yourself and other people lots of questions, and listen carefully to the answers. But in Xenophon's Memorabilia he also says we should begin by examining our assumptions about what constitutes a good life and identifying conflicting evidence.
I am content in my life right now - raising my kids and homeschooling them (one graduating in June, the next, 2 years later), working part time at a bookstore with a boss and colleagues I love working with, and pursuing relationship building with my church and community.
A couple things I'd like to do that I am not (currently) able to do with my time - have more time to *think*, and also have a role or job that is in the vein of creation care/stewardship. We have a local A Rocha that I can see myself being quite useful at. All in good time.
I'm not familiar with Socrates much (aside from knowing what the 'socratic method' is), but this story of life-long patronage was interesting!
I'm not sure what I'd ask him - perhaps...what would be his favorite 5 books ever published? You can learn a lot by asking anyone this question!
(Restacked :) )
Socrates, do you like The Serenity Prayer, with its emphasis on wisdom?
I would ask him what he thought of Stoicism, other philosophies, and religions in relation to his ideas and study of man. Great post! Can’t wait to read the book!
That's a good question. It would be interesting to imagine a dialogue between Epictetus and Socrates.
I know of a really good author who could probably draw some likely conclusions and create a fictional story that has some of the most famous philosophers discussing such topics at the Stoa Poikile.
He just released a book on Socrates so it’s perfect timing to get started… haha
Thanks for all the great wisdom over the years! Big fan
I’d like to ask Socrates for his advice on how best to try to apply Socratic philosophy and the virtues to the infirmities and illnesses of old age.
He touches on this briefly in his conversation with Cephalus in Book 1 of Plato's Republic, although it's more that he's asking Cephalus how he handles growing old, and the advice he gives is interesting but a bit vague perhaps.
Thank you!
Would Socrates recommend reading the book “Backbone” by Karen Duffy (once a Donald Robertson rec)?
And just where are Crito’s descendants living. I d pitch a tent on some land, rent out the rest to tent dwellers, and hit those coffee shops. To go online. Graciously!
I’d like to ask, “Socrates, should a Day of Thanksgiving be officially declared & celebrated by humans every year? In Greece, in Canada, and throughout the known World?”
Can we determine logically whether or not we as individuals have certain characteristics? In other words if we define what we mean can we conclude whether we are humble, honest or unbiased for example? Or are these traits which only others can ascribe to us?
Such a great piece, I ask myself this question all the time like Camus--"What is the ultimate purpose of my being here ? " Like Socrates-Perhaps even asking and examining the question brings illumination==perhaps we have to ask the question over and over again.
"What is the wise thing to do ? To find a passion for living in a meaningless Universe " Camus