Socrates

The Greek philosopher Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher, who lived between approximately 470 and 399 BC. He is best known for his method of argument, which poses questions that may expose logical errors underlying an opponent's argument, though he usually stated that his purpose was not to argue but to pursue the truth in alliance with his opponent. Socrates had served in the army in his youth, like all Greek men of his time. To modern readers he is most familiar as a character in many books by his disciple Plato or his contemporary Xenophon. If Socrates wrote any books himself they are lost. Eventually the courts of Athens found him guilty on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth, and sentenced him to drink hemlock, a poison that took his life. Socrates had an opportunity to escape from prison, but declined to do so.

The question of the historical Socrates

The major problem in studying the thought of Socrates is that we have to rely on the writings and reports of others since Socrates himself wrote nothing.

Aristotle examines Socrates in his Metaphysics, and Xenophon provides some additional information. But Plato, who was Socrates' pupil, is our principal source of information. He (Plato) wrote numerous dialogues in which Socrates figures as the main speaker. The problem is separating out from these dialogues what is Socrates and what is Plato. And the chief question is the origin of Plato's "Forms Theory".

Coopleston, in his History of Philosophy, takes the traditional view, largely accepting Aristotle who stated that Socrates did not "separate" the Forms. On this view, although the historical Socrates is presented, especially in the early dialogues, the fully developed theory of Plato's is an elaboration or development of Socrates' views and, especially in his later writings, Plato has used the character of Socrates to expound these views.

Some famous Socrates quotes

• The unexamined life is not worth living.
• Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
• Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.
• Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.
• I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.

See also

• Euthyphro
• Apology of Socrates
• Phaedo

References

Plato, Christopher Gill, The Symposium. London: Penguin Books, 1999