The book “How To Think Like Socrates” is one of thoses that combines solid historical and philosophical knowledge with a practical approach to everyday problems. Donald Robertson, a psychotherapist and expert in Stoic philosophy, offers readers not only a biography of Socrates but, above all, an invitation to an intellectual adventure and to exercise their own way of thinking. The book was published by Onepress.
In terms of content, the publication is of a high standard. The author relies on a thorough bibliography, which is included at the end of the book, allowing the reader to deepen their knowledge and verify their sources. Robertson doesn’t stop at generalities – through a pervasive dialogue, he discusses the historical, political, and cultural context of Athens around the 4th century BCE, while simultaneously translating Socratic ideas into the language of contemporary psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
The book is not just a philosophical narrative but a practical guide to the art of asking questions, analyzing one’s own beliefs, and shaping character. The author demonstrates that Socrates was not just a character from a textbook, but someone who can inspire modern readers in their own work.
The edition itself makes a very good impression. The Polish edition contains over 300 pages of expertly researched content in an aesthetically pleasing hardcover. The book presents itself elegantly – a pleasure to place on the shelf, but also a pleasure to hold in your hand. The included maps of Athens, Piraeus, and the Mediterranean basin in the 4th century BCE are also a major asset – they help us better imagine the space in which Socrates operated and lend historical depth to the narrative.
The only drawback is the footnotes placed at the end of the book, rather than at the bottom of the pages. With such a rich content, this makes it difficult to follow additional information smoothly and requires frequent browsing. For such ambitious content, footnotes would have been a much more convenient solution.
In summary, “Think Like a Greek Philosopher” is a valuable, well-researched, and aesthetically pleasing book that combines history, philosophy, and psychology into a thoughtful whole. Those interested in antiquity, Stoicism, or personal development will find it an inspiring and intellectually satisfying read.