Socrates and Self-Knowledge

The first systematic study of Socrates' interest in selfhood, examining ancient philosophical ideas of what constitutes the self.

Christopher Moore (Author)

9781107558472, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 February 2018

293 pages
23 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'Christopher Moore presents a new and insightful perspective on [an] old philosophical theme. He invites his readers to rethink the Socratic concept of self-knowledge and the Delphic oracle to know thyself. The upshot of his analysis is an original and important interpretation of the ancient philosophical and literary sources on these topics, especially the Platonic dialogues.' Paul Schollmeier, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

In this book, the first systematic study of Socrates' reflections on self-knowledge, Christopher Moore examines the ancient precept 'Know yourself' and, drawing on Plato, Aristophanes, Xenophon, and others, reconstructs and reassesses the arguments about self-examination, personal ideals, and moral maturity at the heart of the Socratic project. What has been thought to be a purely epistemological or metaphysical inquiry turns out to be deeply ethical, intellectual, and social. Knowing yourself is more than attending to your beliefs, discerning the structure of your soul, or recognizing your ignorance - it is constituting yourself as a self who can be guided by knowledge toward the good life. This is neither a wholly introspective nor a completely isolated pursuit: we know and constitute ourselves best through dialogue with friends and critics. This rich and original study will be of interest to researchers in the philosophy of Socrates, selfhood, and ancient thought.

1. Introduction: Socrates and the precept 'Know yourself'
2. Charmides: on impossibility and uselessness
3. Alcibiades: mirrors of the soul
4. Phaedrus: less conceited than Typhon
5. Philebus: pleasure and unification
6. Xenophon's Memorabilia 4.2: owning yourself
7. Conclusion: challenges and a defense
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Philosophy [HP], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]