In "Socrates In Love," Phillips has stayed true to his previous books and his mission--making philosophy approachable, relevant, and action-oriented. If you liked his other books or like that approach to philosophy, you'll like "Socrates in Love." I think this approach is under-developed in today's culture and it's refreshing to see it done here in an universally relevant area: love.
Like any good philosopher, Phillips tries not to convince us of a specific point of view, but to enlighten us and allow us to explore this for ourselves. He draws from an amazingly rich array of sources, employing research and theory from disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, religion, history, science, art, and of course, philosophy.
As per his other books, Phillips interviews a wide array of "lay people" amidst his more academic research. He does a tremendous job of connecting these conversations with our beloved "first theorist of love" Socrates and with other known philosophers and theories surrounding the different types of love. He provides incredible breadth in his investigations, extending his exploration to numerous varied locations throughout the world, people of all ages and religions, varying socio-economic classes, and a motley array of professions (or lack thereof).
Of course, some of this investigation results in more questions than answers (a virtue, I believe). Is love universal? Cross-cultural? What does it mean to love "unconditionally"? What affect do taboos have on our love/sex lives? How does love change us? Is love reducible to something logical or biological? Can love be rational in the first place (and if not, is it then irrational? And if irrational, then what?)
The greatest advantage of this book is that it provides the reader with both an accessible though thorough academic approach to the topic of love (and to sex...) and a catalyst for personal growth in this area as well. (And all without being preachy or "self-helpy").
