Book Review
Free Thinkers Series: Books 1-8
PUBLISHER: DELHI: RADHA SOAMI SATSANG BEAS, 2026
Dera Publications has launched a new book series on influential philosophers called the “Free Thinkers Series.” Designed for those interested in spirituality, the series offers a variety of ideas and approaches to the search for God. The hope is that these fresh perspectives will deepen our understanding of the mysteries of God and humanity.
The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philia, meaning friendship or love, and sophia, meaning wisdom. A philosopher, then, is someone who loves wisdom. Throughout history, philosophers have sought to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world around them, their place in it, and their relationships with others by relying on reason and logic rather than faith, emotion, or tradition. Yet their search often leads to the very heart of spiritual inquiry, making these thinkers valuable companions on any seeker’s journey.
Spanning from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times, the series covers sixteen philosophers. Each book explores the philosopher’s life, the political and cultural influences that shaped them, an analysis of their writings (or those of their students) and a summary of their legacy.
This review examines the first eight books in the series.
Socrates
By Donka Markus and Beverly Chapman. ISBN: 978-81-995784-0-1
Socrates (469 – 399 BCE), is often called the “father of Western philosophy” because he laid the groundwork for subsequent Western philosophers. Much of his lasting impact stems from his martyrdom in 399 BCE – a death he faced calmly and even joyfully, discussing the immortality of the soul with his disciples to the very end.
At the centre of Socrates’ philosophy was the ancient call to “Know thyself,” which he made the guiding principle of his life. He believed that anyone could improve both their understanding and their behaviour, provided they were willing to set aside limiting assumptions and humbly admit how little they truly knew.
This pursuit of self-knowledge was closely tied to what Socrates called the “care of the soul.” For him, this meant shifting one’s priorities away from material things and toward keeping the soul healthy and good – a task that required both self-awareness and an open heart. To this end, he sought truth through conversation, examining different viewpoints and using a method of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis to challenge and correct false beliefs.
Plato
By Beverly Chapman. ISBN: 978-81-995784-9-4
Plato (424 – 347 BCE), studied under Socrates and became renowned for explaining Socrates’ ideas more clearly than others. He was mainly interested in what it means to be a good human being and promoted a way of life focused on clear thinking and strong character.
Plato conveyed his ideas through stories in which Socrates engages in dialogue with others, illustrating that philosophy is about ongoing discussion rather than the pursuit of absolute conclusions. In these conversations, Socrates asks questions about the true nature of virtue, friendship, and knowledge, and participates as an equal. He does not claim to know the answers but works with others to learn more. In doing so, Plato not only shows that the pursuit of wisdom reflects a universal human need to understand, but also that it is accessible to everyone and does not require specialist knowledge, technical language, or skill. Through dialogue, participants are encouraged to recognize their false assumptions and gradually gain deeper self-knowledge.
Aristotle
By Beverly Chapman. ISBN: 978-81-995784-4-9
Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE), is often considered the ancient philosopher with the greatest influence on Western thought. He divided knowledge into three types: productive, practical, and contemplative, and made major contributions to both science and philosophy. He wrote over 150 works on parchment scrolls, covering subjects like ethics, politics, physics, economics, logic, metaphysics, aesthetics, and biology. He is known for creating formal logic and for his detailed studies of nature, especially in biology and zoology. Most of his writings have been lost, but the ones that remain demonstrate his lasting influence on philosophy.
Aristotle says the world is always moving toward its purpose of goodness. He believes people can use reason to understand deeper truths about the world and the divine. He argues that there must be a first cause behind all motion and change in the universe. He calls this the “Prime Mover,” the eternal and original source of everything that exists and moves.
The Cynics: Diogenes of Sinope and Crates of Thebes
By Barbara Merritt and Linda Moodie. ISBN: 978-81-686968-2-2
The first Cynic, Diogenes of Sinope (412 – 323 BCE), was inspired by Antisthenes, a follower of Socrates. His successor was Crates of Thebes (365 – 285 BCE), whose wife Hipparchia was also a well-known Cynic. The Cynics were not “cynical” in the way we use the word today. Instead, the Cynics of ancient Greece and Rome were idealists who wanted to live according to their vision of a better life. They searched for a truth they could put into practice. Diogenes is famous for walking through the marketplace in ancient Athens with a lantern, saying he was looking for an honest man.
The Cynics were not interested in abstract ideas or speculation. They cared only about how people acted. For them, living a virtuous life was most important, but not by following social rules or fitting in. Instead, they aimed to live in harmony with nature and to be open and honest in everything they did. To make their point, they rejected things society considered necessary, such as having a home, using good manners, wearing regular clothes, and keeping their lives private. By living on the streets of Athens, they sought to shock people and challenge a society marked by inequality, materialism, and political corruption.
Epicurus
By Donka Markus and Sanjeev Malkani. ISBN: 978-81-686968-0-8
Epicurus (341– 270 BCE), founded his philosophical school in a garden near Athens. He taught that the key to happiness lies in freedom from mental distress, the pursuit of pleasure, and contentment. According to Epicurus, understanding the natural world helps individuals overcome fear, and he promoted a balanced life grounded in practical teachings aimed at reducing unnecessary anxiety.
In his view, suffering often stems from desiring things that are unattainable or unnecessary. True happiness, he believed, is marked by a stable and calm state of mind. To achieve this peace, individuals should pursue only natural and necessary desires, embracing moderation and balance as essential conditions for a fulfilling life. Epicurus also urged his followers to reject superstitions and to free themselves from the fear of death.
In modern contexts, Epicureanism is often linked to fine cuisine, travel, and luxury experiences. This connection stems from Epicurus’s claim that pleasure is not only good but also the ultimate goal in life. However, his philosophy is frequently misunderstood. Epicurus’ main aim was to guide individuals towards lasting happiness and tranquillity. Although pleasure is usually understood as sensory enjoyment, Epicurus defined it as a peaceful, simple life focused on contemplation, social bonds, and caring for others.
Epicurus’s philosophical ideas influenced the development of several modern scientific concepts. He proposed that atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, introduced ideas about gravity and magnetism, and foresaw concepts similar to natural selection and evolution. Epicurus rejected natural hierarchies and argued that diseases come from microscopic particles entering the body. He also supported the idea of an infinite universe, a view compatible with current scientific understanding.
The Early Stoics: Zeno of Citium, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus
By Donka Markus and Thomas Richman. ISBN: 978-81-686968-3-9
Zeno of Citium (334 – 264 BCE), the founder of Stoicism, came across a book about Socrates soon after suffering a major personal loss. Inspired by what he read, he developed a philosophy centred on one essential skill: handling losses (whether of possessions, reputation, or health) by widening one’s perspective and building inner strength. To this end, he encouraged people to remain resilient during hard times and to seek inner freedom when outer freedom is beyond reach. The name ‘Stoicism’ comes from the colonnades in the Athenian marketplace known as the ‘Stoa Poikile,’ or ‘Painted Porch,’ where Zeno delivered his talks.
After Zeno’s death, Cleanthes (331– 230 BCE), became the leader of Stoicism. Whereas Zeno had laid the foundation of the philosophy, Cleanthes gave it a religious and devotional dimension, writing the Hymn to Zeus, the only complete work of the Early Stoics to survive. He in turn taught Chrysippus (280 – 207 BCE) a remarkably prolific thinker who produced more than 700 works, though most are now lost. Building on his predecessors, Chrysippus expanded Stoic ideas across logic, physics, and ethics, helping Stoicism flourish and remain popular for the next 500 years.
The Roman Stoics: Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius
By Jane Clarke Wadsworth. ISBN: 978-81-686968-4-6
Gaius Musonius Rufus (30 –101 CE), was a Roman knight from the propertied social class. He was born outside Rome but moved to the city to study with Stoic philosophers. Often called the ‘Roman Socrates’, he employed the dialectical method of teaching, willingly engaged anyone from any class in Roman society on questions of truth, and faced persecution by authorities for challenging the status quo. Exiled multiple times by corrupt emperors, he witnessed some of the worst evils that power can inflict upon humanity. Yet, Stoicism proved a positive influence, helping him realize that he still retained control over his responses to whatever corruption and evil life presented. Even amid tyranny, injustice, betrayals, lies, war, and chaos, he found the ability to cultivate virtue and discover balance, meaning, and value.
Musonius’s most renowned student was Epictetus (50 –135 CE), who was either born into slavery or enslaved at a young age. He described his role as a philosopher as “singing the praise of God (Zeus).” He eventually established his own school, where one of his students took notes of his informal discussions; these were later compiled into the book Discourses. In it, Epictetus further develops Stoicism by introducing three disciplines: consenting only to objective judgments, training one’s impulses, and controlling one’s desires. He associates these disciplines with the three areas of study (logic, physics, and ethics) and four cardinal virtues (moderation, courage, justice, and wisdom) forming a comprehensive, interconnected system. This system is rooted in an underlying belief in the unity of all aspects of life and the cosmos, connected by Logos, the creative force that animates creation.
Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE), was both a Stoic philosopher and a Roman emperor. When one of his tutors shared a copy of Epictetus’s Discourses with him, it sparked Marcus’s lifelong practice of philosophy. This practice endowed him with equanimity and a strong sense of duty, enabling him to confront numerous complex military, personal, and political challenges. He saw philosophy as a guide to maintaining a healthy inner moral compass grounded in reason. As a spiritual exercise, he wrote notes to himself in the evenings while on his military campaigns. These were collected into a volume called Meditations, which outlines the virtues essential for a happy life while also offering a form of therapy to identify weaknesses and provide remedies. This journal is still avidly read by business, government, and spiritual leaders alike today.
Plotinus
By Hendrick Keuning. ISBN: 978-81-686968-1-5
Plotinus (205 – 270 CE), one of the founders of Neoplatonism, was born in Egypt during the Roman Empire. His major work, The Enneads, engages with many of the same ideas explored by Plato and Aristotle, often examining how people relate to the Divine and the afterlife. Central to his thought is the belief that happiness comes from within. From this conviction follows his emphasis on striving to live a virtuous life and on rising above basic instincts, strong emotions, physical desires and ambition.
According to Plotinus, the human soul is naturally connected to a higher oneness, and reaching this elevated state requires living virtuously. Such a life helps the soul shift its focus away from the physical world toward a more stable, spiritual level. As the soul discovers its true nature, it grows stronger and finds within itself a lasting, transcendent God. This inward journey is captured in his famous phrase, “the flight of the alone to the Alone,” as well as in his final words: “Try to elevate the God within us to the Divine in the universe.”