The Dissenter

#1129 Agnes Callard - Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life

Jul 28, 2025
Guest
Agnes Callard
Agnes Callard, an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago and author of Open Socrates, explores the essence of a philosophical life. She delves into Socratic wisdom, contrasting it with Tolstoy's existential dilemmas, emphasizing the importance of asking 'why.' Callard promotes communal philosophical inquiry as key to addressing profound life questions. She also discusses ethics, the art of love, and the craft of politics, advocating for a reflective lifestyle that embraces inquiry and deep understanding.
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INSIGHT

The Untimely Question of Living Well

  • We often avoid asking 'How should I live?' because we act as if we already know the answer.
  • These untimely questions are impossible to pose to ourselves but can be asked by others, enabling genuine inquiry.
INSIGHT

Socratic Ethics Focuses on Knowledge

  • Socratic ethics differs from utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics by centering on acquiring knowledge.
  • Socrates proposes inquisitive ethics aiming to make progress toward knowledge as the ultimate goal of action.
INSIGHT

Paradoxes and Solutions in Inquiry

  • Inquiry involves paradoxes like how to seek knowledge of what you don't know and genuine open-mindedness.
  • Socrates resolves these by distinguishing different roles in dialogue and collaboration between people.
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