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Overview
In The Socratic Paradox and Its Enemies, Roslyn Weiss argues that the Socratic paradoxes—no one does wrong willingly, virtue is knowledge, and all the virtues are one—are best understood as Socrates’ way of combating sophistic views: that no one is willingly just, those who are just and temperate are ignorant fools, and only some virtues (courage and wisdom) but not others (justice, temperance, and piety) are marks of true excellence.
In Weiss’s view, the paradoxes express Socrates’ belief that wrongdoing fails to yield the happiness that all people want; it is therefore the unjust and immoderate who are the fools. The paradoxes thus emerge as Socrates’ means of championing the cause of justice in the face of those who would impugn it. Her fresh approach—ranging over six of Plato’s dialogues—is sure to spark debate in philosophy, classics, and political theory.
“Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with Weiss, it would be hard not to admire her extraordinarily penetrating analysis of the many overlapping and interweaving arguments running through the dialogues.”—Daniel B. Gallagher, Classical Outlook
“Many scholars of Socratic philosophy . . . will wish they had written Weiss's book, or at least will wish that they had long ago read it.”—Douglas V. Henry, Review of Politics
Synopsis
In The Socratic Paradox and Its Enemies, Roslyn Weiss argues that the Socratic paradoxes—no one does wrong willingly, virtue is knowledge, and all the virtues are one—are best understood as Socrates’ way of combating sophistic views: that no one is willingly just, those who are just and temperate are ignorant fools, and only some virtues (courage and wisdom) but not others (justice, temperance, and piety) are marks of true excellence.
In Weiss’s view, the paradoxes express Socrates’ belief that wrongdoing fails to yield the happiness that all people want; it is therefore the unjust and immoderate who are the fools. The paradoxes thus emerge as Socrates’ means of championing the cause of justice in the face of those who would impugn it. Her fresh approach—ranging over six of Plato’s dialogues—is sure to spark debate in philosophy, classics, and political theory.
“Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with Weiss, it would be hard not to admire her extraordinarily penetrating analysis of the many overlapping and interweaving arguments running through the dialogues.”—Daniel B. Gallagher, Classical Outlook
“Many scholars of Socratic philosophy . . . will wish they had written Weiss's book, or at least will wish that they had long ago read it.”—Douglas V. Henry, Review of Politics
Polis
"Weiss' careful consideration of many key texts is interesting and surely advances a particular interpretive approach to Socratic philosophy. . . . Weiss' handling of the individual arguments is careful and informative. Her discussions offer the reader a number of nuanced interpretations that engage with contemporary scholarship."—Joel A. Martinez, Polis
— Joel A. Martinez
Editorials
Polis
"Weiss' careful consideration of many key texts is interesting and surely advances a particular interpretive approach to Socratic philosophy. . . . Weiss' handling of the individual arguments is careful and informative. Her discussions offer the reader a number of nuanced interpretations that engage with contemporary scholarship."—Joel A. Martinez, Polis
— Joel A. Martinez
Classical Outlook
“Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with Weiss, it would be hard not to admire her extraordinarily penetrating analysis of the many overlapping and interweaving arguments running through the dialogues.”—Daniel B. Gallagher, Classical Outlook
— Daniel B. Gallagher
Review of Politics
“Many scholars of Socratic philosophy . . . will wish they had written Weiss's book, or at least will wish that they had long ago read it.”—Douglas V. Henry, Review of Politics
— Douglas V. Henry
Journal of the History of Philosophy
"This is an important book. . . . A saner Platonic Socrates emerges along with improved coherence across Plato's dialogues. Weiss builds her case in careful detail . . . and [is] a pleasure to read as well."—Maureen Eckert, Journal of the History of Philosophy
— Maureen Eckert
Scripta Classica Israelica
"[Weiss's] Socrates is . . . a philosopher for all seasons, a powerful champion of humble decency and honest intellectual effort. . . . This is a Socrates well worth cheering for, and Weiss deserves our heartfelt thanks for presenting him in such a lively and convincing way."
— Jacob Howland
Phoenix
"The strength of the book lies in its series of close readings of important stretches of Platonic texts and in provoking critical reflection on what might indeed have become simply received wisdom. . . . A provocative book which deserves serious study."
— James Warren