Socrates Cafe: a Fresh Taste of Philosophy

For a number of years, Christopher Phillips has been inviting ordinary people to gather together to discuss philosophical questions. His mission was: 'to return philosophy to the people, where it belongs' - and to learn from it. This is the stimulating account of his experience. "Socrates Cafe" 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 Cafe" will inspire readers with enquiring minds to ask questions of themselves and others, and to strive to live more fully 'the examined life'.