Buddha, Socrates and Us

Ethical Living in Uncertain Times

De: Stephen Batchelor

Narrado por: 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.

©2025 Stephen Batchelor (P)2025 Yale University Press

A Secular Global Ethics for Human Flourishing

Brilliantly researched, written and narrated by the author, Stephen Batchelor, this book can be seen as the culmination of his life’s journey searching through eastern and western religions, philosophies and cultures for a guide to human flourishing untainted by metaphysical dogma, and institutional and cultural hierarchies. A secular ethics for all, for today, emerges from the teachings and lives of Gotama, Socrates, Lao Tzu and others. An essential book for the survival of humanity. Highly recommended.

Brilliant!

Its been a long time since I’ve come across a boom so timely, eloquent, challenging and thoughtful.