Soul of Goodness is a masterpiece which blends the images of the novel, the philosopher’s wisdom and the journalist's clarity. Through an extraordinary use of these skills, Philips has given us a work of art which penetrates the nerve center of being as he patiently enters the interiors of pain, of suffering, culminating in joyous solutions as they seamlessly unravel in Global Socrates cafes to which visitors come to speak, to think and heal by the philosophical wisdoms of the vast literature of the Global South and Global North.
In the hands of Phillips, philosophy becomes musical and music and poetry become philosophical. Written beautifully through the powers of images and narratives, the novel is used in the service of philosophy and philosophy itself as the dwelling place of all those who want to wonder, to imagine and be healed.
Teodros Kiros (PH.D) Professor of Philosophy at Berklee college and Harvard University, producer and host of African Ascent, Self-Definition: A Philosophical Inquiry from the Global Southand Global North and Conversations with Cornel West, and other works.
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From the day his grandmother gave him a copy of Plato’s Socratic dialogues, Christopher Phillips has dedicated himself to the proposition that the unexamined life is not worth living. The Soul of Goodness is the intimate, sometimes heart-wrenching record of his quest—a journey that takes us through the dark night of the soul, enlightens us with the insights of past philosophers from Nietzsche to Rilke and above all the hero of Plato’s Apology, and tells the stories of the people Phillips meets along the way, from Brazil to Japan. This book will leave you with the kind of wisdom that philosophy can provide—the knowledge that we are not alone in either our suffering or our joys.
Matthew Stewart, author of Nature’s God, The Courtier and the Heretic, The Truth About Everything: An Irreverent History of Philosophy, with Illustrations, and other works.
Soul of Goodness is a very touching and personal account of the author's philosophical journey, which takes us on the quest to discover and nurture a healthy soul, or soul of goodness, even among evil things. It brings Socratic philosophy vividly to life for modern readers, and inspires hope in humanity's ability to redeem itself through the love of wisdom. – Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
“Christopher Phillips is a true citizen philosopher. Through tragedy and trial, in his own life and in our times, he searches relentlessly for the possibility of goodness in others. This book exemplifies the spirit of that search, which takes him across oceans and eons and deep into the human heart. It is an act of love — filial and civic.” — Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University and author of Become America, You’re More Powerful Than You Think, and other works.
For a quarter of a century, Christopher Phillips played the role of Socrates, not on the streets of Athens but around the globe, in conjunction with his Socrates Café movement. After the death of his father, though, Phillips embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Soul of Goodness tells us of his travels, the people he encountered, and the insights he gained from them. Want to follow Socrates’s advice and live an examined life? Soul of Goodness is a wonderful place to begin your examination. – William B. Irvine, PhD, author of A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
Soul of Goodness is a magnificent and absorbing excursion into the amazing existence of Christopher Phillips. ...... A masterpiece that forces you to reexamine your purpose and motivation in life. This is a winner!” — Drs. Robert and Kirti Carter coauthors of The Morning Mind: Use Your Brain to Master Your Day and Supercharge Your Life
SOUL OF GOODNESS
Christopher Phillips walks us down his joyful path as a philosopher from the day when he was twelve years old and his Greek grandmother handed him a copy of Plato's Cave. From that inspired beginning, Chris implements the Socratic power of simple questions to transcend barriers and reach for greater insight. It's a pleasure to see the world through the eyes of this boy grown into a husband, father and activist who does everything he can to bring love and joy into the world. He reminds us never to take a moment for granted when we always have the opportunity to live life full on.
— Kathryn Watterson, author of Not by the Sword, Women in Prison,
and I Hear My People Singing: Voices of African American Princeton
