Corrupting Youth

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In Corrupting Youth, Peter Euben examines the connections between Socratic philosophy and Athenian democratic culture to address political and educational issues, both ancient and modern. The book adeptly navigates from antiquity to contemporary political theory, linking Athenian and American democracy. Euben synthesizes recent work by political theorists and classical scholars, illuminating key debates on discourse ethics, rational choice, and political realism, alongside pressing political matters like school vouchers and education reform. He advocates for the relevance of classical texts and Athenian thought, using them as a lens to reflect on contentious issues such as the war over the canon and the politicization of universities. Drawing on works by Aristophanes, Sophocles, and Plato, Euben articulates a vision of democratic political education. He posits that Athenian democratic practices fostered accountability and self-critique, which Socrates transformed into a philosophical approach. Euben explores the reciprocity between political philosophy and radical democracy, questioning whether Socrates should be removed from academia and reintroduced to a broader audience. He calls for a contemporary higher education that engages with the dramatic figure found in Plato's dialogues, blending appreciation with skepticism.