Question Everything: The Examined Life of Socrates

by Ray Divine

Question The Examined Life of SocratesNEWLY UPDATED and IMPROVED September 2022! Now With Pictures! Timeless truths with relevance for today. The life, teachings, and death of Socrates, the person acclaimed by many to be the world’s greatest philosopher, presented with humor, to inform as well as entertain in a manner as creative and carefree as the man himself. While on trial, sure of his innocence, that he was only arraigned out of jealousy, Socrates recounts his life with veracity and wit, presenting his life in exciting, entertaining, and comedic ways, but then the verdict takes a turn for the worse. Despite the protests of his friends, Socrates refuses to escape the bitter sentencing.Written Humorously, But with the Utmost of RespectRay Divine presents the life of Socrates as never before. Although Socrates has often been parodied (Woody Allen, Steve Martin, “Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Adventure”, etc.), this book chooses not to mock this fascinating man, but rather presents its comedy with admiration, awe, and appreciation for the philosopher deemed by many to be the greatest of them all. Says the author “I feel the humor, which is organic to the story, reflects the jovial nature of this great philosopher.” Divine also admits taking some poetic license, eschewing the details of certain facts to make key points in Socrates’ life, without having the humor mock the man, but rather enhance our understanding of someone so unique and clever and truly ahead of his time. Capturing the spirit of the man, if not the letter as well." A Historical, Hysterical Biography. Rated PG-13.Snippets“My advice?” said Socrates. “By all means, marry.”Both sighing, the young couple smiled,Socrates returned their smile with a wry one of his own. “If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”---Plato shook his head in disbelief. “You lived all these years; and you never wrote anything?”“That’s not true,” said Socrates. “Just last week, I wrote what my wife wanted me to buy at the market.”---Faithful Plato, who’d been with Socrates for so long, stood to his feet and waved his fist at Democritus. “This is an outrage! A travesty! A! A! An outrageous travesty!”Socrates pat Plato’s shoulder to assuage his friend’s fury. “Maybe the gadfly wasn’t my best metaphor.”---[Crito]: “I come with the best news ever!”Apollodorus brightened. “The court acquiesced and decided to set Socrates free?”Crito slumped. “No. I come with the second best news ever.”Phaedo asked, “They’ve decided not to execute him?”Crito slumped further. Not much further could he droop, without toppling off his new stool. “No. So maybe this isn’t the best, or even the second best, news ever, but given the situation, this is as good as it gets.” With renewed conciliation, Crito sat up tall to make his announcement.---“Sneak away? I shall not,” said Socrates. “Even if convicted unjustly, a righteous person must respect the law.”Bam! Crito pounded the prison bars in frustration. “Don’t be so selfish, Socrates! Think of me. If you die, people will think me too cheap to bribe the guards to let you escape.”Tin-Clad GuaranteeWhy is Socrates so fascinating? Take a Look Inside! Perhaps this rendition of his life, teachings, and death will shed li

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2013

Reviews

[Bulent2k2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and funny intro to the life of Socrates and the Socratic approach to life. If you don't think you know enough about either, this is where you can start. I found it quite comprehensive as well as a page turner. If you're looking for an intro for your 6 or 12 year old relation, try the graphic Wise Guy by M. D. Usher. It's designed for both! If you'd like to get more serious and academic, Gregory Vlastos wrote the definitive Socrates, Ironist and Moralist Philosopher, available as e-book.