Socrates is one the most important thinkers in western philosophy, yet he remains enigmatic, having left behind no works of his own. Instead, his thought is understood primarily through the work of his followers, particularly Plato. Yet Plato's dialogues can offer conflicting portraits of Socrates. On the one hand, he is portrayed as “barren of wisdom”: he has questions but no answers. On the other, he appears to be “fertile”: he has important things to say about those questions. Can he be both?

A little bit of authority goes a long way in an opinionated world. Here Australia's most erudite thinkers share expert views on the issues that shaped the nation in 2019. The Conversation Yearbook has become an annual bestselling collection that navigates fake news and shouty views and offers a fresh perspective on the fundamental issues.

Learn How to Live from History's Greatest Thinkers