Breakfast with Socrates: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Breakfast with Socrates containing key details about the book.
What is Breakfast with Socrates About?
"Breakfast with Socrates" is a philosophical novel by British author and journalist, René Goscinny. The book is a fictional account of a series of conversations between Socrates and a young man named Alexios, who is trying to make sense of the world and his place in it. Through their conversations, Socrates imparts a number of important lessons and insights about the nature of knowledge, the meaning of life, and the importance of self-examination.
What does it mean to be awake? What exactly is therapeutic about retail therapy? And what are you really working on when you're at your desk, in the gym, or having dinner? From getting ready in the morning, through heading to work, going to a party, having sex and falling back to sleep, Breakfast with Socrates provides an hour-by-hour commentary on what history's greatest philosophers have said about the meaning behind everything we do.
Who is the author of Breakfast with Socrates?
Robert Rowland Smith is a British author and philosopher. His books include Derrida and Autobiography, Breakfast with Socrates: The Philosophy of Everyday Life, and AutoBioPhilosophy: An Intimate Story of What It Means to Be Human.
What are some key summary points from Breakfast with Socrates?
Here are some key points and takeaways from the book:
- The importance of questioning and critical thinking: Socrates encourages Alexios to question everything and to never take anything at face value. He teaches him that true understanding comes from examining and questioning one's own beliefs and assumptions.
- The value of self-knowledge: Socrates stresses the importance of understanding oneself and one's own desires and motivations. He argues that without self-knowledge, it is impossible to live a virtuous and fulfilling life.
- The limitations of knowledge: Socrates reminds Alexios that true wisdom and understanding are always just out of reach and that there is always more to learn and understand.
- The importance of living a virtuous life: Socrates teaches Alexios that the ultimate goal of life is to live virtuously and to strive for excellence in all things. He emphasizes the importance of living according to one's principles and beliefs.
- The role of the philosopher: Socrates explains that the role of the philosopher is to seek wisdom and understanding, and to help others do the same. He argues that the philosopher's duty is to lead by example and to help others find the truth.
Book details
- Print length: 237 pages
- Genre: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Psychology
What are the chapters in Breakfast with Socrates?
Chapter 1. Waking Up
Chapter 2. Getting Ready
Chapter 3. Travelling to Work
Chapter 4. Being at Work
Chapter 5. Going to the Doctor
Chapter 6. Having Lunch with Your Parents
Chapter 7. Playing Hooky
Chapter 8. Shopping
Chapter 9. Booking a Holiday
Chapter 10. Going to the Gym
Chapter 11. Taking a Bath
Chapter 12. Reading a Book
Chapter 13. Watching TV
Chapter 14. Cooking and Eating Dinner
Chapter 15. Going to a Party
Chapter 16. Arguing with Your Partner
Chapter 17. Having Sex
Chapter 18. Falling Asleep and Dreaming
What is a good quote from Breakfast with Socrates?
Top Quote: “Credit' comes from the Latin 'credere', 'to believe', for credit is the belief that the money you're borrowing will someday be returned, a belief that needs the future to function in.” (Meaning) - Breakfast with Socrates Quotes, Robert Rowland Smith
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "What makes Smith’s book genius isn’t just the ability to lay out an interesting, eloquent, and relevant piece of work – which he does. The kicker for “Breakfast with Socrates” is that it’s just plain funny." — The Christian Science Monitor
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
