Is good character something that can be taught? In his new book, The Quest for Character, philosophy professor Massimo Pigliucci draws from the famous story of Socrates and asks what we can learn from it. He blends ancient sources with modern interpretations to give a full picture of the philosophy and cultivation of character, virtue, and personal excellence—what the Greeks called arete. At heart, The Quest for Character isn’t simply about what makes a good leader. Drawing on Socrates and his followers among the Stoics, this book gives us perhaps even more crucial lessons: how we can each lead excellent lives.

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, and the K.D. Irani is a Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York with a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology and Philosophy. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. He has been published in national and international outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. His numerous books include “How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life” and “Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.” His new book is “The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders.” You can find more of his ideas on his YouTube page and Substack “Figs in Winter.” See more by Massimo at https://massimopigliucci.org.

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