Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... Wise Guy: The Life and Philosophy of Socratesby M. D. Usher
None Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. no reviews | add a review
Notable Lists
A biography of Socrates, a philosopher and teacher in ancient Greece who held that wisdom comes from questioning ideas and values rather than simply accepting what is passed on by parents and teachers. No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNone
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)183.2Philosophy and Psychology Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy Sophistic and Socratic SocratesLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
H'mmmmm. A picture book about Socrates? How odd. I should check this out.
It helped that the cover shows this cherubic little guy with a laurel crown (or very kinky hair...I can't decide which) on his head, lounging atop a Greek temple looking very sweet. Now, if anything says "Socrates" it's sweet and cherubic, right? H'mmmmm. H'mmmmmm. H'mmmmm.
Anyway, I put it on hold borrowed it from Fairport. I opened it, admired the illustrations, then began to read. And knew immediately that the author knew nothing about writing for children. (If you know Socrates or have attempted to read this book, you'll get the pun in the last sentence.)
Now maybe I'm too far removed from reading picture books to my kids, but really. The reviews recommend this book for "budding philosophers" ages 8 and up. Maybe my kids are a little further down on the philosophy scale than some, but my recollection of the extent of their attempts at philosophy at age 8 involved questions like "Why do I always get stuck on the soccer team that never wins?" and "How come peas taste like dirt?"
There are just some subjects that should remain in the realm of adulthood, and Greek philosophy is one of them. ( )