Socrates

Socrates believed that he benefited the people of Athens by challenging them to question their beliefs and think critically about themselves and their society. He saw his role as a gadfly, stirring up discussion and promoting self-examination, even if it made people uncomfortable. He believed that true wisdom comes from acknowledging one's ignorance and seeking knowledge through dialogue.

In ancient Athens, when the jury voted for a penalty, the accused could offer an alternative penalty; the jury could then decide between the two. So when the jury voted for the death penalty, Socrates could have proposed the alternative penalty of exile (and the Athenians would probably have been satisfied with that), but Socrates held that he had done nothing wrong and had, indeed, done a tremendous service to Athens. Therefore, in place of a counter penalty, he states that if justice is to be done he should be granted free meals at the Prytaneum--an honor given to benefactors of the city and to Olympic victors.

Socrates was the teacher and mentor of Plato. Their relationship was that of a student and a master, with Plato being greatly influenced by Socrates' teachings and philosophy. Plato went on to become a distinguished philosopher in his own right, building upon the ideas of Socrates.

Socrates believed in a government led by philosopher-kings, individuals who had wisdom and knowledge to govern justly and ethically. He thought that rulers should prioritize the common good over personal gain, and that citizens should be educated to understand and participate in the political process.

Socrates believed that children should be educated in both academic subjects and moral values, emphasizing the importance of instilling virtues such as courage and wisdom from a young age. He advocated for a holistic approach to education that focused on developing the mind, body, and soul of a child. Socrates also believed in the power of questioning and dialogue as a method of teaching, encouraging children to think critically and challenge their own beliefs.

The setting of Plato's "Philebus" is in Athens, where Socrates engages in a philosophical discussion with two interlocutors, Philebus and Protarchus, about the nature of pleasure and intellect. The dialogue takes place in the house of Philebus.

Socrates (469-399 B.C.), an Athenian philosopher known for his early reflections on ethics and his development of the Socratic method, caused controversy in 4th-century Athens for several reasons. First, as a self-styled "gadfly," Socrates pressed the Athenians in the streets and the marketplace about their basic convictions and assumptions, and questioned much of traditional wisdom, showing that much of popular opinion had no ground or warrant in right reason. Many Athenians were upset by Socrates' close probing and his denial of traditional beliefs especially with respect to the Greek gods. Secondly, Socrates' association early in life with some opponents of Athenian democracy raised controversy and opposition. Thirdly, because he found a large following among the youth, many Athenians thought Socrates was corrupting the next generation of society. On account of these points of controversy, Socrates was charged with impiety (asebia) and corrupting the youth. An Athenian jury convicted him, and he was compelled to drink the hemlock. Socrates' defence of himself against the charges (or rather Plato's construction of it) can be found in the well-known Apology.

Socrates built the tower of Harnesses which he believed would give everlasting life to his people. This was a huge achievement to Socrates and his people because the tower was filled with fresh water which supplied them with health.

When Socrates reached his forties, he focused on engaging in philosophical discussions with the youth of Athens. He also continued to question traditional beliefs and values, which eventually led to his trial and execution.

Socrates is considered to be one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is known for his method of questioning, the Socratic method, which aimed at stimulating critical thinking and uncovering truth. Socrates believed in the importance of self-examination and the pursuit of wisdom and virtue.

Socrates questioned traditional beliefs, exposed contradictions in people's arguments, and challenged the authority of the Athenian democratic system. His critical thinking and refusal to accept societal norms angered some Athenians, leading to his trial and subsequent conviction for corrupting the youth and impiety towards the gods.

Aristotle was a student of Plato and was influenced by his teachings. He later went on to establish his own school, the Lyceum, where he developed his own philosophical ideas that sometimes diverged from Plato's. Socrates' teachings, as passed down by Plato, also had an influence on Aristotle's philosophy.

Aristotle was a student of Plato, who was in turn a student of Socrates. Aristotle studied under Plato at his Academy for around 20 years before eventually establishing his own school, the Lyceum. Though he admired and was influenced by his predecessors, Aristotle also developed his own philosophical ideas that differed from both Socrates and Plato.

Socrates is known for developing the Socratic method of inquiry, which involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. His emphasis on self-examination and pursuit of truth laid the foundation for Western philosophy. Socrates' philosophical ideas continue to influence ethical and moral discourse to this day.

Plato was deeply affected by Socrates' death, as Socrates was his mentor and friend. In response to Socrates' execution, Plato wrote several dialogues, such as "Phaedo," "Apology," and "Crito," to preserve Socrates' philosophical ideas and teachings. Plato's work demonstrates his admiration for Socrates and his commitment to ensuring that Socrates' legacy lived on.

The Socratic method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals. It involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. By challenging assumptions and guiding participants to examine the logic of their beliefs, the Socratic method helps uncover deeper understanding and promotes learning through self-discovery.

Socrates philosophy was that he would pose a series of questions to his students and challenge them to examine the implications of their answers. To Socrates, this patient examination was a way to help others seek truth to self-knowledge.

Albert Camus, a French philosopher and author, is often associated with this idea. In his work "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus explores the concept of the absurdity of the human condition and the idea that life is worth living even in the face of its inherent lack of ultimate meaning or purpose.

Socrates chose not to delay drinking the poison because he believed in following the law and accepted the punishment handed to him by the court. He also viewed death as a release from the suffering of old age and saw the opportunity to teach through his own death.

In one of Plato's writings he reports that Socrates tells Theaetetus that philosophy begins in wonder. This means that in order to be a philosopher you must ask question and have curiosity about the world, like how it works, and why, and if it could be improved.

Socrates was the famous Greek philosopher who was forced to drink poison, specifically hemlock, as a result of his conviction for impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens.

Socrates taught his students by asking them questions and having conversations with them. A socratic conversation has a central question, which you try to find the answer to together. He didn't write down anything

Some notable figures who lived at the same time as Socrates (around 470-399 BC) include the philosopher Plato, the playwright Aristophanes, the historian Herodotus, and the general Pericles.

Those around Socrates began to cry when he drank the hemlock and prepared to die, as he accepted his punishment for corrupting the youth of Athens. This emotional scene is depicted in Plato's "Phaedo."

Plato adopted the dialogue form in his writings to showcase his teacher, Socrates, engaging in philosophical discussions with others. This style allowed Plato to present different viewpoints and explore ideas in a dynamic and interactive manner, enhancing the depth and richness of his philosophical inquiries.