Plato's Socrates /

This excellent book on Socrates employs a broader perspective than the authors' Socrates on Trial (1989), the definitive study of the Apology. Comprehensive treatment of Socratic philosophy as presented in the early dialogues of Plato is framed in six chapters on these central topics: method, epistemology, psychology, ethics, politics, and religion. The book has numerous virtues: clear, detailed examination of the texts, which enables the reader to wrestle firsthand with the questions in context; wide-ranging, fair consideration of the secondary literature; strong arguments for original interpretations of important problems; and the uncanny capacity to educate the beginner and stimulate the scholar. Brickhouse and Smith vigorously advance their own new readings. Especially noteworthy are the attribution to Socrates of certain knowledge that still falls short of the wisdom he disavows; the claims that Socrates is not subject to the "Socratic fallacy" and that virtue is neither necessary nor sufficient for happiness; and the controversial view that Socrates' execution did not result from partisan politics. Certainly the best book on Socratic philosophy. Strongly recommended for all college and university libraries. Undergraduate; graduate; faculty; general. J. Bussanich; University of New Mexico