Who is Socrates?

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as the founder
of Western philosophy. He grew up during the golden age of Pericles’ Athens, served with
distinction as a soldier, but became best known as a questioner of everything and everyone.

 Socrates serves as a Hoplite or a Foot Soldier. Foot Soldiers are soldiers that are
considered unimportant or do not have a high position.
 According to Plato, Socrates was the teacher of Plato, he showed great physical
endurance and courage, rescuing the future Athenian leader Alcibiades during the
siege of Potidaea in 432 B.C.

Antonio Canova. Socrates Rescues Alcibiades at the Battle of Potidaea, 1797

The death of Socrates

On a day in 399 BC, Socrates was brought to trial on a charge of "corrupting the youth." If
found guilty, his penalty could be death. He was taken to the near-by jail where his sentence
would be carried out. Socrates would be his own executioner as he would drink a cup of
hemlock.
 Hemlock produces a slow death by gradually paralyzing the central nervous system.

What are his contributions?

 Socratic Method - refers to the cooperative argumentative dialogue between
individuals to stimulate critical thinking.
 Ethics - equated knowledge with virtue, which ultimately leads to ethical conduct
  Field of Epistemology and logic

What were the main ideas of Socrates?

Philosophy. Socrates believed that philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater
well-being of society. He attempted to establish an ethical system based on human reason
rather than theological doctrine. Socrates pointed out that human choice was motivated by the
desire for happiness.

 The statement highlights Socrates' belief that philosophy should not be an abstract or
purely intellectual exercise but should have practical applications that benefit society.
His emphasis on ethics, morality, and the pursuit of wisdom was driven by a desire to
promote the greater well-being and moral improvement of individuals and, by
extension, the well-being of the larger community. Socrates saw philosophy as a tool
for personal and societal betterment.

 He made an effort to create a system of ethics or moral principles that relies on human
reasoning and logic, rather than relying on religious teachings or beliefs.

 In other words, he believed that people engage in various activities and make
decisions with the aim of achieving happiness. This idea underscores the notion that,
in Socratic philosophy, all human actions are fundamentally driven by the pursuit of
what is perceived as good and fulfilling, with happiness being the ultimate goal that
guides our choices and behaviors.

What was Socrates Contribution to education?

 Emphasizing Self Examination- Socrates encouraged individuals to question their

beliefs and values, fostering self-awareness and personal growth.
Example: Examining what is the true meaning of life.

 Emphasizing The three filters - He valued open and respectful dialogue as a means of
acquiring knowledge and understanding complex ideas.
Everytime you gonna say something, you must passed through the 3 filters!
- Truth ( Are you sure that it is true?)
 - Goodness ( Is it good or beneficial?) - Necessity (Is it really necessary to
tell?)

What did Socrates consider the real task of Philosophy?

 Socrates believed that the real task of philosophy was to examine and question one's
own beliefs and the beliefs of others .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 (2012). Socrates. Philosophers.co.uk. https://www.philosophers.co.uk>socrates

 Collins. (2010). Definition of 'foot soldier.'
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/foot-soldier#google_vignette

 EyeWitness to History. (2003). The Suicide of Socrates.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/socrates.htm

 History. (2023). Socrates.

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/socrates#trial-and-death-of-socrates

 Lake, T. (2021) Socrates’ Philosophy: The Ancient Greek Philosopher and His
Legacy. https://www.thecollector.com/socrates-philosophy-ancient-greek-
philosopher-legacy/

 Wikipedia. (26 August 2023). Socrates.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_philosophy

 World History Edu. (2019, May 21). Socrates: His Beliefs and Philosophy - World
History Edu. World History Edu. https://www.worldhistoryedu.com/socrates-his-
beliefs-and-philosophy/