Socrates (470-399BC)

Historical Context

Era

Ancient Greece - The Classical Period

Location

Athens, Greece

Major Historical Events

The Peloponnesian War - ending with the defeat of Athens (431-404BC)
The Golden Age of Athens - Pericles’ rule (461-429BC)
The trial and death of Socrates (399BC)

It was a prosperous time in Athens, a state known for its democracy, culture, and economic growth. Guided by Pericles, Athens produced some of its most famous works of art and architecture, and was a major center of learning and philosophy. The Acropolis was built during this time, as well as the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike. It was a great time to be an Athenian.

Personal Background

Early Life

Socrates was born into a family of relatively affluent Athenians, living a life reasonably free of financial concerns. Like most wealthy Athenians, he could read and write, and was educated in other fields like gymastics, poetry, and music.

Socrates was not a handsome man, in fact he was well known for how ugly he was. He had a flat turned-up nose, bulging eyes and a large belly. He neglected personal hygiene, bathed rarely, and walked around barefoot. Often his friends joked about his ugliness.

Politically, Socrates was critical of both democrats and the oligarchs in Athens. He lived to question everything and everybody.

Key Influences

Oracle at Delphi
Sophists

Life Path

Socrates was essentially self-taught in philosophy.
He spent his life travelling around Athens, and educating Athenians for free.
During this time, Sophists were doing the same, except they were charging money for their time.
Socrates completed military service during the Peloponnesian War, apparently completing an incredible three campaigns.

Core Philosophical Contributions

Main Areas of Focus

Epistemology
Teleology
Ethics

Key Concepts

Socratic Method - a form of argumentative dialogue to develop an understanding of the truth.
Intellectual humility - “I know that I know nothing”
Philosophy - the love of wisdom - is the most important pursuit above all else - “The unexamined life is not worth living”

Major Works

Socrates never wrote anything down, so we only know about his teachings through the writings of his students.

Historical Impact

Legacy

As mentioned, Socrates never wrote anything, and so his philosophy is based on the writings of others.
His socratic method has inspired the development of formal logic and ststematic ethics.
To this day, the socratic method is used in unversities to help students develop critical thinking skills and understand reasoning.

Modern Relevance

Critical thinking and questioning of assumptions
Pursuit of knowledge and humility in knowledge
Self-examination and ethical living

Death and Final Years

Final Years

Following the end of the Peloponnesian War, a change of government occurred. A tyrannical Athenian government called the Thirty Tyrants, who were under the control of Sparta, took power. During this time Socrates was drawn up to serve in the Athenian assembly, one of the three branches of ancient Greek democracy (406BC). Here, Socrates was a staunch opponent to the tyrannical rule of this government, where on several occasions opposed the ruling of these tyrants - demonstrating an act of civil disobedience. Martin Luther King even cited this event in his Letter from Bimingham jail.

Circumstances of Death

In 399BC Socrates was arrested and found guilty for impiety, meaning failure to worship the gods, and corruption of the youth. He was sentenced to death. Whilst waiting for his death, his friends visited him imploring him to escape from jail but he refused, and he “appeared both happy in manner and words as he died nobly and without fear”, said Plato. He drank a cup of brewed hemlock given by his executioner and died surrounded by his friends.

Socrates death was well documented in Plato’s “The Apology of Socrates”.

Plato (Student)
Xenophon (Student)
The Sophists (Rivals)

Last Updated: 14.10.24

Philosophy Profiles #1: Socrates