Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Vlastos is the greatest living writer on Greek philosophy, and his book on the historical Socrates--many years in the making--has been eagerly awaited. Although the main arguments have appeared in previous articles, their synthesis produces a remarkably cohesive and original philosophical portrait. Vlastos illuminates Socrates' irony, elenchus (means of refutation), disavowal of knowledge, religion, moral radicalism, and eudaimonism (the theory that right actions produce happiness). The book displays the verve, lucidity, rigor, erudition, and imagination that have made Vlastos's work a model for several generations of scholars. Indispensable for both academic and larger general collections." -- Amazon. This long-awaited study of the most enigmatic figure of Greek philosophy reclaims Socrates' originality.