• The Bloomsbury Handbook of Socrates 
  • Editors: Russell E. Jones, Ravi Sharma & Nicholas D. Smith
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, 2nd Edition
  • Publication Date: November 30, 2023
  • Print Length: 424 Pages
  • Product Description

This handbook provides a detailed philosophical analysis of the life and thought of Socrates across fifteen in-depth chapters. Each chapter engages with a central aspect of the rich tradition of Socratic studies and, after surveying the state of scholarship, points the way forward to new directions of interpretation.

A leading team of scholars presents dynamic readings of Socrates, extracted from the historical context of Plato’s dialogues, covering elenchus, irony, ignorance, definitions, pedagogy, friendship, politics, and the daemon. Building on these core Socratic topics, this edition includes new accounts of Socrates in the work of philosopher and historian, Xenophon, and the comic playwright, Aristophanes, as well as important scholarship on topics such as emotions, the afterlife, motivational intellectualism and virtue intellectualism.

Fully revised and updated, the Bloomsbury Handbook of Socrates elucidates the complex landscape of Socratic thought and interpretation.

  • About the Editors

Russell E. Jones is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Oklahoma, USA.

Ravi Sharma is an Associate Professor of Philosophy, Clark University, USA.

Nicholas D. Smith is James F. Miller Professor Emeritus of Humanities at Lewis & Clark College, USA.

  • Reviews

For the First Edition: “This new companion to Socrates will be very welcome to scholars. The book aims “to assemble a comprehensive guide to the main issues engaged in the philosophy of Socrates”. These essays fulfill that aim admirably.” Bryn Mawr Classical Review

“Socrates wrote nothing, but the impact (both of his person and of his thought) was decisive already in antiquity and not least in the history of later philosophy (even up to the present day). This book, which brings together fifteen contributions from leading Socratic scholars, offers a helpful mapping to reconstruct Socrates’ thought, his argumentative strategies, and the main problems he addresses.” Marcelo D. Boeri, Professor of Philosophy, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

“A treasure trove for anyone making a serious study of Socrates’ life and teaching.” Classics for All

“Together with other recent books on Socrates, the new revised edition of the Bloomsbury Handbook is a sign of the vitality, diversity, and creativity of Socratic Studies today. This volume will serve as a useful and inspiring touchstone not only for those investigating Socrates through the prism of the analytic school of interpretation pioneered by Gregory Vlastos but for all students of the great master.” Gabriel Danzig, Professor in the Department of Classical Studies, Bar Ilan University, Israel

“This new edition is rich, comprehensive, and up-to-date. An important resource on the philosopher Socrates for both students and scholars.” Donald Morrison, Professor of Philosophy, Rice University, USA