|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
It is hard to overstate the impact of Socrates on Western thought. The ancient Greek philosopher has been praised and reviled in equal measure, but one thing is certain. His ideas and methods continue to shape how we think about ourselves and the world around us.
What makes Socrates so enduringly relevant, and why is his importance so surprising? In this article, we explore the unique impact of Socrates and ask why is Socrates famous. We look at the philosopher’s life, teachings, and legacy to discover why this ancient thinker matters today.
Join me as we explore the mind of Socrates and discover how his unique way of thinking shaped the way we understand the world today.
Socrates: The Man
To help better understand Socrates’ philosophy, let us examine the man behind the ideas.
Who was Socrates?
Socrates lived in Athens, Greece, and was born in approximately 470 B.C. His mother was a midwife, and his father a salesman. As a young man, he was an infantryman in the military.
He had a wife and three sons, and by all accounts was a devoted and loving husband and father. The family lived a humble life, and Socrates refused to charge for his teachings.
The Socratic Problem
Socrates’ philosophy was entirely entrenched in dialogue – both with others, and with the self. His philosophical work was conducted in the streets of Athens, in the agora (a public political square), and through conversations with his students. Unfortunately for historians and philosophers trying to study him – he never committed to writing.
Everything we know of Socrates’ work is found in the works and records of others. All we know about him is mostly conveyed through three of his students: Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes. This lack of written information is known among philosophers and historians as the Socratic Problem.
Lack of information directly from Socrates has led to an almost-mythical status. And it also means everything we know about Socrates’ beliefs has to be taken with a grain of salt. It is likely to be at least peppered (and at worst littered) with the thoughts and ideas of the messengers.
Socrates’ Influences
Philosophy was a young discipline when Socrates came on the scene. These earliest ancient Greek thinkers are often referred to as the Presocraticphilosophers.
Socrates was influenced by the Sophists, in particular. This group of philosophers traveled throughout Greece and delivered their teachings for free. They were some of the first to discuss critical thinking, examination, and argumentation.
The controversial and conversational nature of the Sophists’ work is mirrored in Socrates’ – and it eventually led to his death.
Socrates’ Personality
Socrates’ appeared to be a stubborn man – often in the best ways. He stuck to his values and convictions, even when faced with great penalties. He was not afraid to tell people they were wrong, even if it was unpleasant. Yet, he was articulate and witty.
Socrates was a pragmatic and, empathetic man. He believed philosophy was a tool to help people live good lives. And he himself wanted to understand what it meant to live a good life.
The Philosophy of Socrates
Let us discuss three of the main focuses of Socrates’ philosophy:
- Questioning and Examining,
- Virtue and Knowledge, and
- Morality and Ethics.
These, he believed, were the keys to a good and fulfilled life.
Questioning and Examining
Socrates emphasised the need to understand what we don’t know, and how questioning can help us arrive at truths.
One of the unique and famous parts of Socrates’ work is the method of rhetorical questioning he uses to arrive at conclusions. He also uses this same method to support others in arriving at conclusions.
Socrates’ method of questioning was named The Socratic Method. Socrates would ask questions to help the opposing party come to their own conclusions. This method is based on the idea that knowledge is innate and can be unlocked through dialogue and questioning. It can (and should) be done in solitude, while asking ourselves questions.
The Socratic method involved Socrates faking ignorance as he attempted to elicit conclusions from his students. This is referred to as Socratic Irony. Socrates often knew the answers to the questions he asked during a dialogue. This technique highlighted contradictions, weaknesses, as well as strengths, in the student’s arguments.
Knowledge and Virtue
Socrates emphasised knowledge as the key to virtue, and virtue as the key to a good life. He believed moral answers could be objective and are innate. He argued they are available if we ask ourselves the right questions.
For Socrates (and for many after him), the virtues we can access/unlock with knowledge are:
- moderation,
- courage,
- justice, and
- wisdom.
Socrates argued that wisdom is found when we can grasp our fallibility and the need to question ourselves, others, and our governments. Socrates believed he was wise to understand and accept his own ignorance.
He emphasised knowledge of self was integral to living a good life. He argued that self-knowledge could be achieved through examination and internal questioning.
Morality and Ethics
The great philosopher argued that knowledge allowed us to determine right from wrong in any given situation.If knowledge is akin to virtue, it means ignorance is akin to vice – or to evil. He argued, that when we know what is right (knowledge), we cannot do wrong (virtue).
As with knowledge, Socrates believed that we inherently understand right and wrong. It can be pulled out by questioning ourselves, or having someone strategically (Socratically) question us.
Socrates’ Political Philosophy
Socrates was famously, and vocally, against democracy. He argued that most citizens were not aware of political issues and could not be to be trusted with a vote. This led them to be easily manipulated by leaders with selfish intentions. He was not necessarily opposed to the concept of voting in governments, and he did not argue that only certain classes should vote. Instead, he argued that political education and participation should be a prerequisite to voting. An educated vote, to Socrates, is the only kind of vote that should be accepted.
Socrates’ political philosophy was controversial. Ancient Greece was heavily democratic, and Athens, being the capital, was politically involved. Most of the criticism that Socrates received had to do with his political philosophy. Specifically, his challenge of democracy would prove to be entirely controversial. In the following sections, we discuss some of the reactions to his teachings, and how these teachings led to his downfall.
The Impact of Socrates on Ancient Greece
Socrates’ impact on ancient Greece, and in particular, on his contemporaries, was far-reaching and undeniable. His work heavily influenced philosophy at the time. His work was famous during his lifetime and continues to be today. It continued to impact the philosophical climate of Ancient Greece after his death, as his students and others continued his work. Socrates’ ideas garnered respect, as well as condemnation.
He became famous throughout Athens, but he was not interested in fame. Sharing his teachings with others was a moral duty, and he never charged fees. He was only interested in supporting the acquisition of knowledge, and therefore virtue, in others.
Socrates’ Impact on his Students
Socrates’s legacy lived on through the students he mentored, and his philosophy had a significant impact on them.
Plato was one of Socrates’ students, and his work is not only heavily influenced by the master, but also heavily features him. Most of Plato’s famous dialogues are built around the Socratic method and we see Socrates as the main character. In these dialogues, Plato positions Socrates as a wise figure who employs the Socratic Method to help an opposing character arrive at conclusions.
In these dialogues much of what we believe to be Socrates’ ideas are likely to be more reflective of Plato’s own beliefs.
Where Socrates never put his thoughts on paper, Plato was an avid writer. He created the first official institution of philosophy – Plato’s Academy. And he formalised ideas, methods, and teachings that Socrates practiced in a different way.
Other philosophers who were greatly influenced by Socrates’ teachings, whether students or not, were Xenophon, Aristophanes, Aristotle, and the Stoics.
The Trial of Socrates
The reactions to Socrates were varied. Most thinkers at the time respected him. Government officials and many upper-class citizens saw him as a threat to traditional values. How the world never changes in many respects.
Socrates was famous for questioning everything; a practice not encouraged in many political climates – including that of Ancient Greece. His work was undeniably controversial.
Challenging government ultimately led to his death. For his ideas, he was charged with corrupting the youth and impiety (worshipping incorrectly). Socrates was given the opportunity to defend himself, and he delivered a monologue at the trial. True to his nature, the deliverance can be summed up in the simplest of terms: I did it, and I’d do it again.
In one of Plato’s Dialogues, The Apology, Socrates’ monologue is immortalised. Two of the most revealing paragraphs are pasted below. They not only give us a glimpse into his trial, but into how he conducted philosophy throughout the entirety of his life. Philosophy was in the heart of his being, a tool to help people live a good life.
But some of you will ask, “Don’t you regret what you did since now it might mean your death?” To these I answer, “You are mistaken. A good man should not calculate his chances of living or dying. He should only ask himself whether he is doing right or wrong—whether his inner self is that of a good man or of an evil one.”
And if you say to me, “Socrates, we will let you go free but only on condition that you stop your questioning,” then I will reply, “Men of Athens, I honour and love you. But I must obey god rather than you, and while I have life and strength, I will never stop doing philosophy.” For my aim is to persuade you all, young and old alike, not to think about your lives or your properties, but first and foremost to care about your inner self. I tell you that wealth does not make you good within, but that from inner goodness comes wealth and every other benefit to man. This is my teaching, and if it corrupts youth, then I suppose I am their corrupter.
280 out of 500 jurors found Socrates guilty, and he was given the death penalty,to be administered by a poisonous hemlock concoction.
Socrates’ Death
Socrates, already an old man at the time of the trial, had many opportunities to avoid execution. Athens was, by all accounts, prepared to forgive as long as he left the city. At times, before, during, and after the trial, Socrates could have chosen a life of exile. Instead, he chose death. He was believed to be 71, so it was a big factor in his decision. His stubborn nature may also have influenced his decision.
The painting,a piece titled The Death of Socrates, by Jacques-Lous Davidt portrays Socrates, surrounded by his students, as he is preparing to drink the hemlock. The philosopher is depicted calm and in-control. This account of events was delivered to David through Plato, who is seen hunched over at the foot of the bed.
This beautiful video essay further discusses the anatomy, significance, and meaning of this painting, and is well worth watching.
The Legacy of Socrates
For a man who never wrote anything down, the impact of Socrates’ long life has been colossal. It also goes a long way in illustrating the kind of influence he had on those whom he had dialogues with.
Socrates has long been considered one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy and culture. His ideas and methods continue to impact the development of Western philosophy, as well as other fields, such as education, politics, and psychology.
One of his key contributions to Western philosophy was his emphasis on self-knowledge and virtue. This emphasis has been a recurring theme in modern philosophy.
The Surprising Importance of Socrates in Modern life
Socrates’ ideas and teachings continue to be studied and analysed by scholars and philosophers today. His emphasis on the importance of self-knowledge and the examined life still resonates with people from all walks of life. The Socratic method is still widely used in education and continues to shape the way we think and learn. His legacy lives on, not only in Western philosophy but also in the way we approach knowledge and understanding.
The possibilities for use of the Socratic method in everyday modern life are plentiful and broad in nature.
Socrates’ Impact on Modern Education
As a primary example of Socrates’ impact on the modern world, the Socratic method is invaluable to the education process. It is often used in classrooms, all the way from childhood and onto university.
The benefits of using the Socratic method in educational settings are In building critical thinking and teaching students how to arrive at their own conclusions – a vital skill. Learning to arrive at conclusions independently build confidence. At the same time, it fosters humility as knowledge is gathered, by reminding us that fallibility is an unavoidable part of being a thinker.
Finally, coming to conclusions through Socratic questioning supports the encoding of that information, helping us to remember it better in the future.
Socrates’ Impact on Modern Psychology
The impact of Socrates can be seen in psychology. The productive questioning in therapy and counseling sessions is very reminiscent of the Socratic method. Socrates was one of the first to examine happiness and the human condition.
Socrates’ Impact on Modern Law
As a final example, Socrates’ has had a large impact on the tradition of law. He started a chain of future thinkers that would formalise argumentation in the political sphere. As with education and psychology, the Socratic method is also heavily used in law.
Final Thoughts
Socrates’ unique impact on Western thought and culture cannot be denied. His method of questioning, the concept of Socratic irony, and his emphasis on self-knowledge and virtue have all left an indelible mark on the history of philosophy.
And yet, what is truly remarkable is the surprising relevance of Socrates’ teachings and legacy in the modern world. From political debates to everyday self-reflection, Socrates’ ideas and methods continue to offer valuable insights and guidance.
As we come to the end of our exploration of Socrates’ impact and importance, we are reminded of his famous quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Socrates’ legacy is a testament to the enduring power of self-reflection, and a call to all of us to strive for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
FAQs
Q. What is Socrates’ method of questioning?
A. Socrates’ method of questioning, known as the Socratic method, is a way of exploring ideas through dialogue and debate. Socrates would often ask his students a series of questions to help them arrive at a deeper understanding of the subject at hand.
Q. What is the concept of “Socratic irony” and its significance?
A. The concept of “Socratic irony” refers to Socrates’ practice of pretending to be ignorant in order to encourage others to question their own beliefs and knowledge. This irony is significant in that it highlights the importance of self-examination and the pursuit of truth.
Q. What are the main ideas and beliefs of Socrates?
A. Socrates believed that the pursuit of virtue was the key to a good life, and that self-knowledge was essential to achieving virtue. He also believed that the soul is immortal, and that death should not be feared because it leads to a state of greater understanding.
Q. Why is Socrates considered the father of Western philosophy?
A. Socrates is considered the father of Western philosophy because he developed a unique method of questioning that led to the development of Western philosophy. His ideas and teachings also had a profound influence on other philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, who built upon his work.
Q. How did Socrates influence the intellectual and cultural climate of ancient Greece?
A. Socrates’ ideas and methods had a profound impact on the intellectual and cultural climate of ancient Greece. His emphasis on questioning and self-reflection helped to lay the foundations for Western philosophy and science.
Q. What was the reaction to Socrates and his teachings by other philosophers and members of society?
A. Socrates’ teachings were both praised and criticized by other philosophers and members of society. Some admired his emphasis on self-examination and the pursuit of truth, while others saw him as a troublemaker and a threat to traditional beliefs and institutions.
Q. How do Socrates’ ideas and methods continue to be studied and applied today?
A. Socrates’ teachings and legacy are relevant and influential in modern society in many ways, such as encouraging critical thinking, self-examination, and moral reasoning.
Socrates’ methods continue to be studied and applied today in fields such as education, psychology, and law. The Socratic method is still used as a teaching tool, and his emphasis on self-knowledge and virtue is still seen as relevant to personal and societal well-being.
Why not Join Us
If you enjoyed this article, we would like to offer you two gifts – our Starter Pack of 4 James King’s books and our Weekly Digest, which you can receive by email.