Plato's Socrates on Socrates: Socratic Self-Disclosure and the Public Practice of Philosophy

Plato's presentation of Socrates' self-disclosive speech in four dialogues, including Theaetetus, Symposium, Apology, and Phaedo, is analyzed by Anne-Marie Schultz. She argues that Socrates' autobiographical self-disclosure is more pervasive than commonly acknowledged, adding depth and richness to the Platonic texts. Schultz also examines Socratic self-disclosive practices in the works of bell hooks, Kathy Khang, and Ta-Neishi Coates and practices the art of Socratic self-disclosure herself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In Plato's Socrates on Socrates: Socratic Self-Disclosure and the Public Practice of Philosophy, Anne-Marie Schultz delves into the profound philosophical and political implications of Plato's portrayal of Socrates' self-disclosing speech in four dialogues: Theaetetus, Symposium, Apology, and Phaedo. Schultz contends that these moments of Socratic self-disclosure reveal that Plato's presentation of "Socrates the narrator" is far more pervasive than the secondary literature commonly acknowledges. Despite the ubiquitous presence of a Socrates who describes his own experiences throughout the dialogues, Socratic autobiographical self-disclosure has received surprisingly limited scholarly attention. Schultz argues that Plato's use of narrative, particularly his trope of "Socrates the narrator," is often overshadowed by discussions of the dialogues' dramatic nature more broadly rather than being studied in its own right. By examining these carefully crafted narrative remarks, Schultz demonstrates how they enrich and deepen the Platonic texts on multiple levels.

To illustrate how these embedded Socratic narratives contribute to the portrayal of Socrates as a public philosopher in Plato's dialogues, the author also explores Socratic self-disclosive practices in the works of bell hooks, Kathy Khang, and Ta-Neishi Coates, as well as engaging in her own practice of Socratic self-disclosure.

Through this comprehensive analysis, Schultz sheds light on the significance of Socratic self-disclosure in shaping the philosophical and political dimensions of Plato's works, highlighting its importance in understanding the complexities of Socrates' character and the broader themes of philosophy and society.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 219 x 154 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498599665