A Precursor to Dialogical Philosophy? Buber’s Ambiguous View of Socrates

Martin Buber’s reception of Socrates is complex and its emphases shifted over time. In the present article I first demonstrate how Buber included Socrates in his project of dialogical philosophy and depicted him as an ally in his confrontation with monological philosophical paradigms. Subsequently, I highlight those aspects of Socrates’ doctrine which Buber considered problematic, often discussing them in connection with Jewish spirituality. I continue by analyzing Buber’s ideal of dialogical education, in which his confrontation with Socrates plays a central role. Finally, I present an overall evaluation of Buber’s reception of Socrates, commenting on its development and dynamics.