The Bloomsbury Companion to Socrates

Book excerpt: Socrates, the largely enigmatic Greek thinker, is universally considered to have laid the foundations of western philosophy. His philosophy, available to us through the early dialogues of Plato and the writings of his contemporaries, has had a remarkably enduring influence on virtually every area of philosophical enterprise. This comprehensive and accessible guide to Socrates life and death, character and philosophical concerns, features thirteen specially commissioned sections, written by a team of leading experts in the field of ancient philosophy, covering every aspect of Socratic thought. The Companion presents a comprehensive overview of the various features, themes and topics apparent in Socrates' thought, including Socratic irony, metaphysics, epistemology, happiness, virtue, moral psychology, philosophy of love, political philosophy, and religious belief. It concludes with a thoroughly comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources. This is an essential reference tool for anyone working in the field of ancient philosophy.