What is reality? Hard or impossible to answer, but Socrates, the guru in Way of the Peaceful Warrior, tells the athlete protagonist Dan that his version stinks and that he should learn the better one that he, Socrates, offers. It's all about being in the moment, fully aware and alive, without thoughts clogging up your head.
Dan has to choose between the conventional world of college and the ninja-like path of Socrates… and we bet you can guess which one he eventually picks. The book is basically one giant lecture in why a Zen-like perspective on reality is best.
Questions About Versions of Reality
- How does Socrates describe his version of reality? How does it differ from the version of reality Dan is familiar with at college?
- Dan faces a choice between Socrates' reality and the conventional reality offered at school. What other options might there be, however? What other versions of reality might Dan have considered?
- What does Socrates blame for most adults' difficulty in perceiving reality directly, freshly? Could there be other explanations than his? Are any alternate views offered in the novel?
Chew on This
Those who follow Socrates' teachings awaken to a fresher, truer version of reality than those who follow more conventional paths.
Socrates' teachings are not the single path to a good understanding of which version of reality is best.