Socratics

Socratics refers to the philosophical ideas and methods associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who lived in Athens from approximately 470 to 399 BCE. Socrates himself did not write any philosophical texts. Our understanding of his thought comes primarily from the writings of his students, most notably Plato and Xenophon. The Socratic method, a cornerstone of Socratic philosophy, involves engaging in a process of questioning and critical examination of ideas. It is often characterized by a series of questions designed to expose inconsistencies, assumptions, and a lack of true knowledge in an interlocutor's beliefs. This dialectical approach aims to lead individuals to a deeper understanding of concepts and to a recognition of their own ignorance, a state Socrates famously described as the beginning of wisdom. Key Socratic themes include the pursuit of virtue, the importance of self-knowledge, and the examination of moral and ethical principles. Socrates believed that an unexamined life was not worth living and that true happiness stemmed from living a virtuous and knowledgeable existence. His influence on subsequent Western philosophy is profound, shaping the work of Plato and many other thinkers.