Christopher Phillips

"Phillips (Socrates Cafe) pursues philosophy according to the Socratic model, the antithesis of the modern academic: he travels around the world, organizing group discussions in which participants of all ages, education levels, and walks of life lead and follow one another in the pursuit of clarified thinking. The six leading questions he presents to such participative audiences--and here to readers--are literally thousands of years old: what are virtue, moderation, justice, the good, courage, and piety, and is excellence yet possible? As Phillips argues, 'By looking at how these questions are conducive to examining particular issues in specific places and times, we can see how universal patterns emerge.' And so we readers listen in on discussions held in Athens, Tokyo, Seoul, and Montclair, NJ, among other places. Phillips has transformed the actual records of these discussions to preserve participant anonymity, and so they seem to share qualities with Plato's dialogs, being both realistic and somewhat fictionalized. Educated readers will want to discuss the ideas in this book, which is precisely the author's intent. Those new to philosophical thinking will find it an admirable introduction."
"Adult/High School--What is virtue? Courage? Justice? Piety? By discussing possible answers, Socrates sought understanding and perspective in order to become a better human being. With the same goal in mind, the author took these questions to informal discussion groups throughout the world. They included schoolchildren, the elderly, the homeless, university students, and average middle-class workers. What makes this book so fresh and appealing is how these age-old questions are revealed to be incredibly relevant today. September 11, Mexico's Zapatista rebels, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Native American struggles are just a few of the huge range of topics that came up. In trying to define modesty, Muslim women gave diverse viewpoints regarding traditional dress, Korean students argued the merits of Confucianism, and U.S. students offered thoughts on conspicuous consumption. The book is dialogue-driven with the thoughts of prominent thinkers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Jefferson, and, of course, Socrates inserted at appropriate places. Phillips's smooth, natural style enables readers to feel that they are part of the discussion at hand, making the book engaging and accessible to those who may have been put off by the formality of traditional works. YAs who are globally conscious or naturally inquisitive will find this title particularly attractive."
"Here is ancient wisdom in all its complexity brought vividly to life—rendered accessible to readers today. Here is a traveling, inquiring teacher become a wonderfully engaging writer, whose reflecting mind becomes a companion for us needy readers, fortunate, indeed, to have his presence available through this book's stirring pages."
"[We] are left hoping that Phillips, by returning to the methods of the first Western philosophers, has created a template for philosophical exploration that many others will emulate."
“...Phillips induces his listeners to examine their assumptions rationally, in hopes they will see the way to improving the meaningfulness of their lives. These dialogues are intriguing, interesting, and often unexpected, as Phillips modestly considers himself a fellow inquirer, rather than a didactic instructor.”