
Buddha, Socrates and Us
Stephen Batchelor
A renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time
The Buddha’s revolutionary teachings transformed Asia, and his contemporary Socrates laid the foundations of Western philosophy. Although they never met, Socrates and the Buddha each addressed in a radically new and surprisingly similar way the core questions of how to lead a good, just, and dignified life amid turbulence and violence. Common to their teachings was an ethics of uncertainty: both refused to make truth claims about the ultimate nature of reality, insisting on the primacy of critical self‑evaluation as the basis of an ethical life.
In this illuminating book, best-selling author Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates, showing how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life. Keenly aware of the fickle and conflicted nature of the human mind, Gotama and Socrates inspired their followers to act with humility and courage, risk and resolve, doubt and confidence. Drawing on their insights, and those of their followers, Batchelor uncovers a middle way between Buddhist dharma and Greek philosophy that can serve as a starting point for a “secular faith” that addresses the most pressing spiritual and planetary issues of our age.
Duration - 11h 41m.
Author - Stephen Batchelor.
Narrator - Stephen Batchelor.
Published Date - Sunday, 26 January 2025.
Copyright - © 2025 Stephen Batchelor ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
A renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time The Buddha’s revolutionary teachings transformed Asia, and his contemporary Socrates laid the foundations of Western philosophy. Although they never met, Socrates and the Buddha each addressed in a radically new and surprisingly similar way the core questions of how to lead a good, just, and dignified life amid turbulence and violence. Common to their teachings was an ethics of uncertainty: both refused to make truth claims about the ultimate nature of reality, insisting on the primacy of critical self‑evaluation as the basis of an ethical life. In this illuminating book, best-selling author Stephen Batchelor explores the philosophical, social, and political worlds of the Buddha and Socrates, showing how their teachings continue to provide lessons in how to lead a flourishing and engaged life. Keenly aware of the fickle and conflicted nature of the human mind, Gotama and Socrates inspired their followers to act with humility and courage, risk and resolve, doubt and confidence. Drawing on their insights, and those of their followers, Batchelor uncovers a middle way between Buddhist dharma and Greek philosophy that can serve as a starting point for a “secular faith” that addresses the most pressing spiritual and planetary issues of our age. Duration - 11h 41m. Author - Stephen Batchelor. Narrator - Stephen Batchelor. Published Date - Sunday, 26 January 2025. Copyright - © 2025 Stephen Batchelor ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credit, Dedication
Duración:00:00:40
Prologue
Duración:00:16:05
Part One, Chapter 1
Duración:00:32:06
Chapter 2
Duración:00:21:27
Chapter 3
Duración:00:17:00
Chapter 4
Duración:00:17:22
Part Two, Chapter 5
Duración:00:25:56
Chapter 6
Duración:00:18:41
Chapter 7
Duración:00:25:36
Chapter 8
Duración:00:17:39
Part Three, Chapter 9
Duración:00:31:31
Chapter 10
Duración:00:18:58
Chapter 11
Duración:00:16:56
Chapter 12
Duración:00:20:54
Part Four, Chapter 13
Duración:00:18:22
Chapter 14
Duración:00:15:48
Chapter 15
Duración:00:21:20
Chapter 16
Duración:00:29:05
Part Five, Chapter 17
Duración:00:26:05
Chapter 18
Duración:00:23:32
Chapter 19
Duración:00:18:33
Chapter 20
Duración:00:21:13
Part Six, Chapter 21
Duración:00:12:53
Chapter 22
Duración:00:19:52
Chapter 23
Duración:00:29:37
Chapter 24
Duración:00:21:50
Part Seven, Chapter 25
Duración:00:16:02
Chapter 26
Duración:00:13:14
Chapter 27
Duración:00:24:20
Chapter 28
Duración:00:34:22
Part Eight, Chapter 29
Duración:00:24:40
Chapter 30
Duración:00:37:13
Afterword
Duración:00:06:16
Acknowledgments
Duración:00:05:11
End Credits
Duración:00:01:00