Philosophy and Life of Socrates

By Plato's account, Socrates was a larger-than life figure who valued wisdom and who detached from materialistic things. Interested in ethics or moral philosophy, and epistemology, Socrates is often quoted with: "The only thing I know is that I know nothing."

Life of Socrates

Socrates lived through great political upheaval in his birthplace of Athens. He was born c. 469/470 BC and died 399 BC. Much of what is known about him comes through the works of his one time pupil Plato as Socrates himself was an itinerant philosopher. He primarily taught by means of public discussions and never wrote any philosophical works of his own.

Philosophy of Socrates

Unlike the Greek philosophers before him, Socrates was less concerned with abstract metaphysical thoughts than with practical questions of how we ought to live, and what the good life for man might be. For this, he was consequently hailed as the founder of that branch of philosophy known as ethics. It was this concern with ethical matters that led him into conflict with the city elders. He was often accused of corrupting the minds of the sons of the wealthy with his revolutionary and unorthodox ideas and ways.

Socratic Method

Much of his teaching consisted in using his audience to define various common ideas and notions, such as 'beauty,' or 'good,', only to show through reasoned argument that all of the proposed definitions and common conceptions lead to paradox or absurdity.

Some of his critics and contemporaries thought that his technique was disingenuous, that he knew more than he let on. It is primarily through this influence from him that philosophy developed into the modern discipline of continuous critical reflection. He thought it is the suspension of critical thought that endangers both the individual and society.

Last Years

Loved by the city's aristocratic youth, Socrates inevitably made enemies. When he was about 70, he was brought to trial on charges of 'corrupting the youth.' It would seem that the charges were brought primarily to persuade him to renounce his characteristic provocative public speaking. He might have walked away from the trial and lived out the rest of his life as a private citizen, all with a plea of guilty, but he did not, instead, he defended himself, enraging the elders.

A greater majority voted for Socrates to be put to death. He readily agreed to abide by the laws of his city and forbade his family and friends to intercede on his behalf. His subsequent death was immortalized in the account of his pupil, Plato.

Interesting Readings:

Socrates wrote no philosophical works, and we rely on other writers especially Plato. Three key works by Plato are:

• Apology – Socrates' defense speech when he was put on trial for supposed impiety and allegedly corrupting the young people of Athens.
• Crito – Consists of a conversation between Socrates and Crito, in which Socrates explains his ethical views.
• Phaedo – Recounting Socrates' final hours after being sentenced to death at the trial, including his views on death and immortality.

Sources:

Biographical Dictionary, edited by Una McGovern, Chambers, 2002

Illustrated Biographical Dictionary, edited by John Clark, Chancellor Press, 1994

Philosophy, the Great Thinkers, by Philip Stokes, Capella, 2007

Socrates at Louvre

The Death of Socrates, Jacques-Louis David, 1787

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