Socrates
Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited with laying the groundwork for Western philosophy. Born in Athens in 469/470 BC, his life and teachings are primarily known through the accounts of his students, Plato and Xenophon, and the satirical plays of Aristophanes. Socrates did not leave any written works, and what we know about his philosophy comes from these second-hand sources, which often present differing interpretations of his thoughts and life.
Life
- Birth: Born in Athens, likely in 469/470 BC to Sophroniscus, a stonemason, and Phaenarete, a midwife.
- Occupation: While he is most famous for his philosophical pursuits, Socrates worked as a stonemason, following in his father's footsteps, and served in the Peloponnesian War as a hoplite.
- Marriage: Socrates was married to Xanthippe, who is often depicted in literature as contentious, though this might be an exaggeration for comic effect by Aristophanes.
- Death: Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock in 399 BC, accused of corrupting the youth and impiety, charges detailed in Plato's "Apology."
Philosophical Contributions
Socrates is renowned for his method of inquiry known as the Socratic Method, which involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. His approach to philosophy was:
- Elenchus: A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions.
- Ethics: Socrates' philosophical interest was predominantly in ethics. He focused on questions about what makes a good life, examining virtues like justice, courage, wisdom, and piety.
- Ignorance: Socrates famously claimed to know nothing, a statement that led to his famous declaration that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
Legacy
His influence on philosophy was immense:
- Plato: Socrates' student, Plato, developed many of Socrates' ideas further, attributing to him the theory of Forms or Ideas.
- Socratic Schools: Several schools of thought were inspired by Socrates, including the Cynics, Cyrenaics, and Megarians.
- Socratic Paradoxes: Socrates introduced paradoxes like "No one errs willingly" and "Virtue is knowledge," which have been pivotal in ethical discussions.
Sources and Further Reading
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