Sokratese

Sokratese, often anglicized as Socrates, was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He was born in Athens around 470 BCE and died there in 399 BCE. Socrates is best known for his method of questioning, known as the Socratic method or elenchus, which he used to examine concepts like justice, virtue, and piety. He famously claimed to know nothing, believing that true wisdom lay in recognizing one's own ignorance.

Socrates wrote nothing himself, and our knowledge of his life and teachings comes primarily from the writings of his students, most notably Plato and Xenophon. Plato's dialogues, such as the Apology, Crito, and Phaedo, offer a detailed account of Socrates' trial and execution. Through these works, Socrates emerges as a figure who challenged conventional wisdom and authority, ultimately leading to his condemnation on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth.

The Socratic method involves a series of probing questions designed to expose contradictions in a person's beliefs, thereby leading them to a clearer understanding of the subject. This approach emphasized critical thinking and intellectual humility. Socrates' influence on subsequent philosophical thought is profound, shaping the development of ethics, epistemology, and logic. His legacy continues to inspire discussions about morality, knowledge, and the examined life.