Socrates: His Life, Socratic Method, and
Legacy
1: The Life of Socrates (469-399 BCE)
Born in Athens, Greece around 469 BCE
Son of Sophroniscus (a stonemason) and Phaenarete (a midwife)
Served as a soldier in the Peloponnesian War
Married to Xanthippe; had three sons
Never wrote down his teachings; known through his students' writings
Lived simply and focused on philosophical discussion rather than material wealth
Became famous for questioning fellow citizens in the marketplace of Athens
2: Sources of Our Knowledge
Socrates left no written works of his own
Three primary sources provide our knowledge:
o Plato: His student who wrote dialogues featuring Socrates as the main character
o Xenophon: Another student who wrote Socratic conversations and memoirs
o Aristophanes: Comic playwright who satirized Socrates in "The Clouds"
Scholars debate the "Socratic problem": distinguishing the historical Socrates from
Plato's portrayal
3: Diotima – Socrates' Female Teacher
Mentioned in Plato's "Symposium" as Socrates' teacher on matters of love (eros)
A priestess from Mantinea who taught Socrates about love's spiritual dimension
Instructed Socrates that love is the desire for eternal possession of the good
Introduced the concept of the "ladder of love" – ascending from physical beauty to the
Form of Beauty itself
One of the few female philosophical figures acknowledged in ancient Greek texts
Her historical existence is debated, but her teachings significantly influenced Socratic
thought
4: The Socratic Method
A form of cooperative dialogue based on asking and answering questions
Steps in the method:
1. Elenchos (refutation): Exposing contradictions in the interlocutor's beliefs
2. Aporia (confusion): Creating a state of puzzlement that motivates further inquiry
3. Maieutics (midwifery): Helping others "give birth" to their own ideas
Goal is not to provide answers but to expose false assumptions and stimulate critical
thinking
Demonstrates that wisdom begins with acknowledging one's own ignorance
5: "I Know That I Know Nothing"
Central to Socrates' philosophy is his claim to ignorance
The Oracle at Delphi proclaimed Socrates the wisest person in Athens
Socrates tested this by questioning those considered wise
Discovered that while others claimed knowledge they didn't possess, he recognized his
limitations
True wisdom comes from acknowledging the limits of one's knowledge
This "Socratic ignorance" is a form of intellectual humility
Foundation for all genuine inquiry and learning
6: Core Philosophical Ideas
Virtue is Knowledge: Those who know what is good will do what is good
The Unexamined Life: "The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being"
Care of the Soul: Prioritizing moral and intellectual development over material pursuits
Universal Definitions: Seeking the essential nature of concepts like justice, courage, and
piety
Inner Voice (Daimonion): A divine sign that warned him against certain actions
Rejected the moral relativism of the Sophists in favor of objective ethical standards
Believed that virtue cannot be taught through instruction but discovered through
questioning
7: Socrates and Athenian Democracy
Lived during Athens' Golden Age and its decline following the Peloponnesian War
Critical of Athenian democracy and its practice of selecting officials by lot
Questioned the wisdom of majority rule without philosophical foundation
Associated with aristocratic critics of democracy, including Alcibiades and Critias
His criticism of powerful figures made him unpopular with many Athenians
Remained loyal to Athens despite his criticisms, refusing to flee even when facing
execution
His trial reflects tensions between philosophical inquiry and political authority
8: The Trial of Socrates
Charged in 399 BCE with:
1. Impiety (not believing in the gods of the state)
2. Introducing new divinities
3. Corrupting the youth of Athens
Historical context: Athens recovering from defeat in war and oligarchic revolution
Trial held before a jury of 500 Athenian citizens
Socrates defended himself rather than hiring a professional speechwriter
Refused to compromise his principles to gain sympathy
Found guilty by a relatively narrow margin
When asked to propose his punishment, initially suggested he deserved a reward
9: The Death of Socrates
Sentenced to death by drinking hemlock (a poisonous plant)
Spent final days in prison conversing with friends and students
Friends arranged an escape plan, which Socrates refused
Believed obeying the laws was necessary, even when they produced unjust results
As described in Plato's "Phaedo," faced death calmly and philosophically
His last words reportedly were: "Crito, we owe a rooster to Asclepius. Please, don't forget
to pay the debt."
Died at approximately age 70 in 399 BCE
His execution became a symbol of the conflict between intellectual freedom and state
authority
10: Socrates' Legacy
Founded no formal school but inspired multiple philosophical traditions
Immediate Impact: Creation of Socratic schools (Platonic, Cynic, Cyrenaic)
Through Plato: Influenced all of Western philosophy and the development of the
Academy
Socratic Method: Still used in law schools, classrooms, and therapy
Ethical Legacy: Established ethics as a central philosophical concern
Political Thought: Raised questions about justice, law, and citizenship still debated
today
Martyrdom: Became a symbol of intellectual integrity and the pursuit of truth regardless
of consequences
As Alfred North Whitehead said: "The safest general characterization of the European
philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato" – and by
extension, to Socrates
References and Further Reading
Plato. "Apology," "Symposium," "Phaedo," "Republic"
Xenophon. "Memorabilia," "Symposium"
Aristophanes. "The Clouds"
Vlastos, Gregory. "Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher"
Stone, I.F. "The Trial of Socrates"
Nehamas, Alexander. "The Art of Living: Socratic Reflections from Plato to Foucault"
