How to Think Like Socrates: The Ultimate Guide
with Donald Robertson
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
Socrates wasn’t just a philosopher—he was a mental warrior, a radical thinker, and perhaps the most important intellectual disruptor in history.
But what can we actually learn from him today? How would Socrates challenge you if he were alive? And what lessons from his life still hold power in the modern world?
In this interview, I sit down with
, philosopher, cognitive-behavioral therapist, and author of How to Think Like Socrates, to explore the mindset, methods, and life lessons of Socrates.📺 Watch the Full Interview
🔥 What’s Inside This Interview?
🧠 Socrates: The Man & His Mind
What made Socrates so radically different from other thinkers of his time?
His daily routine, habits, and how he approached self-discipline
How he used sharp questioning to challenge the so-called wise
His unique way of living, from owning nothing to walking barefoot through Athens
💬 The Socratic Method: How to Think More Clearly
How Socrates exposed contradictions and forced deeper thinking
The power of asking better questions—and how we can use this today
The surprising connection between Socratic dialogue and Jiu-Jitsu
Why Socrates believed that wisdom starts with admitting you know nothing
⚖️ Socrates’ Trial, Death, and Radical Beliefs
Why he refused to escape—even when given the chance
His fearless attitude toward death and the unknown
The Stoic connection: Is indifference toward death wisdom or cold detachment?
🛠 How to Train Your Thinking Like Socrates
How he developed cognitive flexibility and mental discipline
The two-column thinking technique he unknowingly pioneered
Why exceptions in ethics matter more than rigid rules
How Socratic questioning can reshape your beliefs and challenge biases
🤖 Socrates, AI, and the Future of Thinking
Could AI ever replicate Socratic dialogue?
How technology might help or hinder deep thinking
The real risks of passive self-improvement vs. active questioning
👩❤️👨 Socrates’ Personal Life: The Xanthippe Debate
Was Socrates in an abusive marriage—or was it something else?
Did he choose a difficult wife to train his patience?
What can we learn from his handling of relationships and social conflicts?
📖 How to Read Plato & Think Like Socrates
Why most people misunderstand Socratic dialogues—and how to fix that
How reading can be an interactive conversation with the author
Would Socrates even approve of modern philosophy books?
🎙 Behind the Scenes: Donald Robertson’s New Book & Audiobook
How to Think Like Socrates—why this book is different from the rest
The challenges of narrating an audiobook as an author
Why writing for audio first is becoming more important in publishing
🎙 About Donald Robertson
Donald Robertson is a leading expert on Stoicism, a CBT-trained philosopher, and the author of multiple books, including How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and How to Think Like Socrates.
He has dedicated his career to helping people apply ancient wisdom to modern life, bridging the gap between Socratic questioning, Stoicism, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
👉 Follow Donald here:
📺 Watch the Full Interview
If you enjoy philosophy, Stoicism, or self-improvement, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Socrates believed that wisdom starts with questioning everything.
So… what questions should we be asking today?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s discuss.