Socrates Meets Machiavelli: The Father of Philosophy Cross-Examines the Author of The Prince [Paperback]

Peter Kreeft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

There is no better way to understand our present world than by exploring the Great Books written by the great minds that have made it.

There is no better way to study the beginning of modern political philosophy than by studying its foundations in Machiavelli’s The Prince.

There is no better way to study the Great Books than with the aid of Socrates, the philosopher par excellence.

What if we could overhear a conversation in the afterlife between Socrates and Machiavelli, in which Machiavelli has to submit to an Oxford tutorial style examination of his book conducted by Socrates using his famous “Socratic method” of cross-examination? How might the conversation go?

This imaginative thought-experiment makes for both drama and a good lesson in logic, in moral and political philosophy, in “how to read a book”, and in the history of early modern thought.

Thus this book is for readers looking for a thought-stretching “good read” and for use in college classes in logic, philosophy, ethics, political science, literature, communication, rhetoric, anthropology, and history.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898709261
• ISBN-13: 978-0898709261
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Peter J. Kreeft (Ph.D., Fordham University) is professor of philosophy at Boston College where he has taught since 1965. A popular lecturer, he has also taught at many other colleges, seminaries and educational institutions in the eastern United States. Kreeft has written more than sixty-seven books, including The Best Things in Life, Christianity for Modern Pagans, Fundamentals of the Faith and The Handbook of Christian Apologetics.

Dr. Kreeft's MP3 audio lectures can be purchased on Amazon, such as
"Christianity in Lord of the Rings".

Free articles, audio lectures, the speaking schedule and more info from Dr. Peter Kreeft can be found at his popular web site:
http://www.peterkreeft.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable little pamphlet, August 15, 2003

By 

Calvin (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Socrates Meets Machiavelli: The Father of Philosophy Cross-Examines the Author of The Prince (Paperback)

This was a thoroughly enjoyable little book, and the first I read in Kreeft's series. The funny thing I found in this pamphlet is the personalities of the characters are the exact opposite of what I expected. Both fellows I've always suspected were a bit mental. You may remember Socrates standing in the middle of a street for several hours deep in thought. The Socrates in the book would more likely have stepped into a Starbucks, looking less conspicuous. There are some emotional moments where at one point I was in shock. At other times, I would break out in laughter. Because Machi is a funny guy. I look forward to future volumes one of which was mentioned by Socrates. I was thinking it would be great to see Socrates cross-examine Neitzsche, but Kreeft mentioned another philosopher whom Socrates would meet--Kant. I can't wait.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice teaching aid, June 1, 2007

By 

S. M.Silver "Lobo(AW)" (Coatesville, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Socrates Meets Machiavelli: The Father of Philosophy Cross-Examines the Author of The Prince (Paperback)

I always thought Machiavelli was over-rated and generally provided ideas that would, in the long run, prove to be counter-productive. Kreeft, a master of Socratean logic, provides both a presentation of Machiavelli's perspective and an application of logic that corroborates my thinking. Naturally, then, I like this small booklet. ;)

The best use of this book is after studying the logic of Socrates (it will give you an example of its application) and reading "The Prince" (so you get a chance to form your own judgment). You may find yourself re-reading sections so as to get better clarity of how logic builds on itself. The book is small enough to allow that without feeling like you are falling behind and will never get through it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing, May 17, 2007

By 

K. Dent "Knowledge Seeker" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Socrates Meets Machiavelli: The Father of Philosophy Cross-Examines the Author of The Prince (Paperback)

I don't have time to go into much detail. I do want to write that I read this book in two sittings. It was very enlightening. I was able to finish my mid-term essay on Machiavelli and Plato using this book as one of my resources.

I highly recommend this book to all philosophy students--or those just interested in philosophy or politics.