If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me why I named a dog after one of history’s greatest philosophers, I might finally afford a cup of coffee at a trendy bookshop without wincing.
In Blame It on Socrates, Professor Patrick Dolan finds himself haunted by more than just his past—he’s also dealing with Socrates, the mail-stealing, mischief-making dog who seems to have a talent for unearthing trouble (and buried letters). But the real Socrates—the one in the bedsheet—wasn’t all that different. He spent his life digging up uncomfortable truths, asking hard questions, and challenging the status quo, often to the irritation of those in power.
So why does Socrates still matter today?
Because he reminds us to keep questioning, to resist easy answers, and to examine the stories we tell ourselves. Whether you’re a philosophy professor, a protester, or just a person trying to make sense of life, one thing’s for sure—sooner or later, Socrates will come knocking. And when he does, he won’t hand you a convenient answer. He’ll ask another question instead.
Socrates believed that the only thing he truly knew was that he knew nothing. That’s not just humility—it’s a challenge. In a world that rewards certainty and quick conclusions, Socratic thinking forces us to slow down. It asks us to dismantle our own assumptions, to hold our beliefs up to the light and see if they truly hold. And if they don’t? Well, that’s where the real work begins.
This is precisely why he was seen as such a threat in his time. The Athenian authorities weren’t worried about an army or a rebellion—they were worried about ideas. They feared what would happen if too many people started asking “Why?” and “Why not?”—questions that often lead to uncomfortable truths about the systems we live within. It’s the same reason why, throughout history, those who question power are often silenced, ridiculed, or worse.
But Socrates wasn’t just about stirring up trouble—he was about finding a better way to live. He believed in the examined life, one where we challenge our own biases, strive for virtue, and never stop seeking wisdom. That’s why he still matters today. Not because we have to agree with everything he said, but because he dared to ask the questions that many of us are afraid to.
So whether it’s an ancient philosopher wandering the streets of Athens or a shaggy dog with a talent for mail theft, Socrates refuses to be ignored. He demands our attention, our curiosity, and our willingness to embrace uncertainty. And if he happens to steal a few letters along the way? Maybe that’s just his way of making sure we don’t get too comfortable with the answers we already have.
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