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Socrates' Way: Seven Keys to Using Your Mind to the Utmost
Socrates has inspired and guided the brightest men and women for more than two thousand years. Now you can make him your mentor-to strengthen your thinking, enrich your life, and reach your goals.
In Socrates' Way , you meet Socrates face-to-face, hear his voice, and learn how he changes people's lives. The book provides step-by-step guidance on how to harness his methods to vastly enhance your own creativity and autonomy.Specifically, Socrates shares the seven keys to using one's mind to the
You will master the famed "Socratic Method" for getting to the root of any problem; launch one of Socrates' exhilarating "Dialogues" among your colleagues at work, as well as at home; and sharpen and enliven your thinking. In short, you will discover the Socratic spirit in you.
In Socrates' Way , you meet Socrates face-to-face, hear his voice, and learn how he changes people's lives. The book provides step-by-step guidance on how to harness his methods to vastly enhance your own creativity and autonomy.Specifically, Socrates shares the seven keys to using one's mind to the
You will master the famed "Socratic Method" for getting to the root of any problem; launch one of Socrates' exhilarating "Dialogues" among your colleagues at work, as well as at home; and sharpen and enliven your thinking. In short, you will discover the Socratic spirit in you.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2002
64 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 18, 2009
Self-help book designed to encourage readers to examine their lives. Inspiring and loosely based on Socratic teachings. More about self-improvement than Socrates.
April 10, 2016
I develop people and their decision making under pressure capabilities in the police profession and see the huge difference in confidence building the Case Method or Socratic method has on the cops I train. This book will be of great interest in anyone using experiential learning to develop their people.
September 27, 2020
It's okay
Although book was informative I don't think it provided much insight on how to develop a socratic way of thinking during the Info Age. Many book suggestions or reviews were given through book. I thinkink this should of been reserved for appendix. Book wasveady to read.
Although book was informative I don't think it provided much insight on how to develop a socratic way of thinking during the Info Age. Many book suggestions or reviews were given through book. I thinkink this should of been reserved for appendix. Book wasveady to read.
July 19, 2009
I completed reading it but haven't done all the exercises. I found it an interesting view on how to use Socrates wisdom in day-to-day life. I haven't read all of Socrates dialogues but will be spending some time with them.
March 30, 2013
A should-read book on creative frameworks in self development for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.
March 20, 2025
Socrates’ way: Seven Keys to using your mind to the Utmost dives into the timeless wisdom of Socrates, offering practical strategies to help you think more deeply, make wiser decisions, and live a more meaningful life.
These are suggested actionable steps that can spark real change:
1. Self-examination is the key to wise decisions: Understanding yourself helps you make better choices and avoid mistakes.
2. The Socratic method is a powerful tool for uncovering deeper truths: Use questioning to challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking.
3. Questioning Authority is essential for independent thinking: Trust your judgement and think for yourself, even when advice comes from high authority
4. Challenge convention and see the world differently: Question the beliefs and values you have inherited to develop a critical mindset
5. Meaningful conversations can transform your life: Engage in deep dialogues to clarify your values and grow intellectually
6. Speaking the truths is essential for a thriving society: commit to honesty and use effective communication principles to express your truths
7. Strengthen your soul through wisdom, truth and character: Focus on self-control, authenticity and spiritual literacy to enrich your life
Live with “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” is the path to real knowledge;
Start by questioning your beliefs and values just like Socrates did. The efforts you put in examining your life shapes how deeply and effectively you understand yourself and the world.
Living an examined life is not a destination, it is a lifelong journey!
So, what is your next step?
These are suggested actionable steps that can spark real change:
1. Self-examination is the key to wise decisions: Understanding yourself helps you make better choices and avoid mistakes.
2. The Socratic method is a powerful tool for uncovering deeper truths: Use questioning to challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking.
3. Questioning Authority is essential for independent thinking: Trust your judgement and think for yourself, even when advice comes from high authority
4. Challenge convention and see the world differently: Question the beliefs and values you have inherited to develop a critical mindset
5. Meaningful conversations can transform your life: Engage in deep dialogues to clarify your values and grow intellectually
6. Speaking the truths is essential for a thriving society: commit to honesty and use effective communication principles to express your truths
7. Strengthen your soul through wisdom, truth and character: Focus on self-control, authenticity and spiritual literacy to enrich your life
Live with “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” is the path to real knowledge;
Start by questioning your beliefs and values just like Socrates did. The efforts you put in examining your life shapes how deeply and effectively you understand yourself and the world.
Living an examined life is not a destination, it is a lifelong journey!
So, what is your next step?
November 30, 2019
This book is marketed as a self help book to use Socratic methods to improve your life. It is written in the form of a workbook with sections in most chapters to perform exercises to help you achieve this. I am not certain if succeeds in this goal for many readers.
This book talks a good deal about Socrates but is not meant as a history of Socrates. And the author seems more interested in the myth of Socrates as presented by Plato rather than teasing out the historical Socrates. For this I highly recommend Paul Johnson’s Socrates: A Man for our Times.
The author also exhorts people to become gadflies. Being a gadfly makes you no more Socratic than drinking hemlock would. Ultimately the book seems focused on New Age ideology than actual Socratic method although there are helpful tips and some interesting history to be found in it.
Personally I think today someone desiring to embrace Socratic method would be better served spending time digging into modern sources that challenge popular thinking such as podcasts by Russ Roberts (EconTalk) or Jordan Peterson. As Ronald Gross observes, taking an unpopular stance will affect your social circles.
This book talks a good deal about Socrates but is not meant as a history of Socrates. And the author seems more interested in the myth of Socrates as presented by Plato rather than teasing out the historical Socrates. For this I highly recommend Paul Johnson’s Socrates: A Man for our Times.
The author also exhorts people to become gadflies. Being a gadfly makes you no more Socratic than drinking hemlock would. Ultimately the book seems focused on New Age ideology than actual Socratic method although there are helpful tips and some interesting history to be found in it.
Personally I think today someone desiring to embrace Socratic method would be better served spending time digging into modern sources that challenge popular thinking such as podcasts by Russ Roberts (EconTalk) or Jordan Peterson. As Ronald Gross observes, taking an unpopular stance will affect your social circles.
September 1, 2020
Ωραία σύνοψη της σκέψης και της δράσης του Σωκράτη και παρουσίαση τεχνικών βασισμένων στη μαιευτική. Πολύ προκλητικό για τη σκέψη, αυτό το βιβλίο είναι για τους πολύ λίγους που θέλουν την εξέλιξη των νοητικών λειτουργικών τους και έχουν τη διάθεση να κοπιάσουν για αυτό! Για τους άλλους αδιάφορο. Αφαίρεσα ένα αστεράκι για το τελευταίο κομμάτι του βιβλίου, που ξεφεύγει από τη Σωκρατική φιλοσοφία και προσωπικά το θεωρώ φλύαρο και περιττό.
March 13, 2019
Top Material, nicely and simply put. This book should be taught in schools, ages 16-18
June 10, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and have many sections marked with tabbies for future reflection. The Athenian values and principles that Socrates espoused, and his commitment to examining them and willingness to admit where he fell short are good examples for leaders.
February 24, 2023
[...]Ακολούθησε τις εμμονές σου!" Βρες αυτά που σε κατατρέχουν και ακολούθησέ τα![...]
[...]Ο απαίδευτος άνθρωπος που έχει ισχυρές απόψεις τις οποίες δεν έχει αναλύσει ποτέ, μοιάζει με κούκλα εγγαστρίμυθου στα χέρια κάποιου παρωχημένου σοφιστή ή κάποιων "αστέρων" των ΜΜΕ.[...]
[...]Ο απαίδευτος άνθρωπος που έχει ισχυρές απόψεις τις οποίες δεν έχει αναλύσει ποτέ, μοιάζει με κούκλα εγγαστρίμυθου στα χέρια κάποιου παρωχημένου σοφιστή ή κάποιων "αστέρων" των ΜΜΕ.[...]
August 19, 2008
A truly brilliant analysis of Socrates' way of thinking and inquiring - I would recommend this one to everyone I know. And that is my highest praise for a book.
January 4, 2014
Worth a read. Blends history with informative story telling - truly thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews