“A companion volume to Pangle’s recent study of Xenophon’s Memorabilia, Socrates Founding Political Philosophy in Xenophon’s “Economist,” “Symposium,” and “Apology" completes his study of the four writings Xenophon devoted to his philosophic teacher, Socrates. Together they constitute a tour de force of genuinely philosophic engagement with the texts. It is exceedingly rare to encounter the combination on display here of philological exactness, command of the secondary literature, and a truly philosophical depth. A remarkable accomplishment that will bring Xenophon the philosopher to a new generation of students and scholars.”

Robert C. Bartlett, Boston College

 “It is high time that Xenophon’s Socratic works be reexamined with an eye to the founding of political philosophy, and no one is better situated to do this than Pangle.”

Paul Rahe, Hillsdale College

Unlike his book on the Memorabilia, the structure of Pangle’s Socrates Founding Political Philosophy does not strictly follow the structure of Xenophon’s works. Pangle devotes six chapters to the Economist, Pangle’s thought-provoking translation of the title of the work more commonly known simply by its Greek title, Oeconomicus, the Xenophontic text that he says portrays Socrates founding the science of economics; he then offers one chapter each to the Symposium and to the Apology of Socrates to the Jury. The book also includes a compelling, informative appendix containing Pangle’s preliminary observations on the similarities and contrasts between Plato’s and Xenophon’s presentations of Socrates. There is much to learn from this short piece.
 

The Review of Politics