Socrates was born in 470 BCE in Greece. This Greek philosopher influenced a lot on the philosophy of western countries. Despite some controversial facts, he became famous for his contribution to creating the Socratic Method. Socrates was engaged in the study of logical reasoning, particularly in the area of ethics.
He lived in Athens with his family until his death. His mother worked as a midwife, and his father, Sophroniscus, was a stonemason. He probably lacked a great deal of formal education because of his financial crisis. Socrates first followed in his father's footsteps and started working as a stonemason.
Aristophanes, Aristotle, and Xenophon are the other three significant sources for the analysis of Socrates in addition to Plato. Since Socrates did not leave behind any significant works that have survived to the present, his real opinions must be ascertained from the occasionally contrasting accounts of all these sources.
The Socrates of Plato is frequently used as a substitute for the actual Socrates. Plato was the most effective of all the authors who successfully incorporated Socrates into their works. Academics have voiced several concerns regarding the discussions over the years. The fact that many of them seem to be based on instances that occurred before Plato's birth. This indicates that he probably consulted outside sources to reconstruct Socratic talks. The philosopher gave one viewpoint in one discussion while contradicting it in another. Socrates' only postulate in the early conversations, such as the Gorgias, is "I know that I know nothing," and he is much more interested in deconstructing his opponent's ideas than in offering his own. It's difficult to determine whether Plato genuinely utilised Socrates as a spokesperson.
Although books like Republic, Phaedo, Phaedrus, and Philebus have a speaker named Socrates who defends some intellectual viewpoints and criticizes others, there is a common opinion among historians that we should not look to them for a factually accurate description of the thought of Socrates. Socrates is labelled as the main protagonist, ignoring the fact that the author did not intend for these works to simply be transcriptions of Socrates' dialogues. He is very good at finding conflicts in the views of his communicators and can understand how mistaken they are.
Right after Athens' destruction by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, Socrates was brought to trial in 399 BCE (431–404 BCE). At the trial, the majority of the dikasts (male citizens picked by lot to serve on the jury) found him guilty of the two charges; they then decided on his punishment following the standard judicial process and finally agreed on a death sentence that would be conducted out by Socrates ingesting a lethal dose of hemlock. Both Athens and Sparta not only were at war with each other during ancient times, but they also had extremely distinct political systems. The Apology of Socrates by Plato and the Apology of Socrates to the Jury by Xenophon of Athens, who had also been his student, are primary sources that provide descriptions of Socrates' trial and death.
Socrates begins a discussion with a recognised authority on a matter, along with certain young boys and men, and via dialogue validates the authority's ideas and arguments. Socrates uses the Socratic Method to examine his own beliefs. The Socratic Method’s applicability and precise nature have been contested by academics. According to the destructive point of view, Socrates attempts to show the contradiction between the original argument's assumptions and conclusion. Socrates starts his conversation with a subject-matter expert by demanding a concept and posing a question.
Plato's Socrates frequently asserts that he is conscious of his ignorance, particularly when talking about ethical ideas like arete (kindness, bravery) because he is unaware of the basis of these conceptions. For educational reasons, Socrates is either humorous or modest. For him, knowing may imply having a thorough comprehension of a moral issue. All human conduct, in Socrates' opinion, is motivated by the desire for eudaimonia. By challenging the beliefs of his day, Socrates' religious nonconformity transformed religious dialogue for decades to come.
The legacy of Socrates is to drive critical thought directly toward humanity, human morality, virtue, and the concept of a decent life for a human. Humanity will always benefit from Socrates' conception of the spirit, its morality, and the application of reason to good. Socrates held that one should always use critical thought before accepting someone else's viewpoint. He believed that replies were useless to someone who asked the wrong questions or did not ask any. He wanted to teach by using dialogue, especially through the three dialogues by Plato: Apology, Phaedo, and Crito. Furthermore, he passed away in 399 BCE by the poison of common Hemlock.
Socrates (469-399 B.C.) is regarded by many as the father of Western philosophy and is also the most eccentric of all the Greek philosophers. He was born and grew up in Pericles' Athens in its heyday, served his nation well as a soldier, but is best remembered for his passion for asking questions about everything and everyone. He encouraged people to be more engaged with their souls than their bodies and belongings, arguing that “wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth.” As a result, he assumed that by uncovering their flawed reasoning, he was doing Athens city and its residents a service. Socrates was a morally sound person.
Q1. What made Socrates special?
Ans. He is most renowned for being associated with the Socratic method of question and answer. The acknowledgement of ignorance and claim that people shouldn't risk their lives to have an unquestionably good existence.
Q2. Why did Socrates constantly raise doubts?
Ans. According to Socrates, the truth could be discovered by deductive reasoning and was inherent in both the world and human beings. He did not see himself as a repository of wisdom, but rather as a midwife who transmitted the truth. He pushed people to constantly examine their goals, objectives, and underlying beliefs.
Q3. Was Socrates a person of faith?
Ans. He believed that genuine knowledge can be obtained from the general principles of the basic ideas that control life. The ideas are virtue, good, evil, and piety.
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Economics
Psychology
Environmental Science
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
English