Socrates Cafe By Christopher Phillips An engaging blend of story-telling and philosophy, recounting the author's mission to return philosophy to the people through meetings and workshops. An introduction to the great philosophical debates, reminding us that these debates are open to everyone. ISBN-13: 9780718830205 Specifications: 190x130mm, 224pp, Paperback Price: £12.75 • US$28.00 Publication: May 2002 Order this Title Now

About this Book

For a number of years, Christopher Phillips has been inviting ordinary people to gather together to discuss philosophical questions. His mission: 'to return philosophy to the people, where it belongs' - and to learn from it. This is the stimulating account of his experience.

'Socrates Café' is the name Phillips gives to the meetings held in bookshops, social centres, schools, universities, a church, a prison and similar venues. Throwing into each group some of the great philosophical questions for discussion elicits surprisingly thoughtful contributions, which the author presents in a modern form reminiscent of Plato's Dialogues, introduced by and interspersed with his own personal as well as philosophical reflections. His thumbnail sketches of the participants humanises their contributions and makes them more immediate and involving, while his own learning introduces readers to the contributions made to particular arguments by past philosophers.

The idea of questioning meaning of 'life, the universe and everything' has become debased in modern society, but this book shows that there is a need for and a value in the Socratic method of thinking through aspects of our experience from ethics to existence. It can, for ordinary people as much as for professional philosophers, be exhilarating, illuminating, and developmental.

This book does not offer easy answers to ultimate questions: it is dedicated simply to showing the value of questioning for personal and human development. "The one and only firm and lasting truth that has emerged," says the author, "is that there is always more to discover."

An engaging blend of story-telling and philosophy, Socrates Café will inspire readers with enquiring minds to ask questions of themselves and others, and to strive to live more fully 'the examined life'.

Download the Contents and Extract here (PDF, 94 KB)

Reviews and Comments

"Intriguing, interesting, and often unexpected. A noble, accessible tome to enliven the philosophy shelf."
American Library Association Booklist

"Phillips winningly showcases a tantalising method for getting philosophy to thrive more widely."
Publishers Weekly

"Phillips mixes the fresh, unscripted dialogue of his subjects with the texts of Socrates, Aristotle, Plato and many others in a hopeful, energetic book that never loses sight of its purpose."
Book

"A bracing, rollicking read about the spark that ignites when people start asking meaningful questions."
O Magazine

"At once refreshing, humorous, troubling, confusing, encouraging, depressing, and provocative."
Amazon.com

"Charming."
Tara McKelvey, USA Today

"Most will see great value in Phillips’ efforts to make questioning a key part of knowing oneself. Full of sample discussions and thoughts that can help to formulate ideas and approaches. Inspiring. I encourage anyone with an interest in philosophy to pick up this book and to consider whether starting or joining a Socrates Café might be a thing to do!"
Steve McCardell, The New Times

About the Author

Christopher Phillips is an educator, a freelance writer, and founder of the non-profit making Society for Philosophical Inquiry.