Hello everyone! Hope all is well! So we all have heard about Socrates before this class and if you haven't then you've been recently introduced to Socrates and why he is a famous. Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He lived in Athens, Greece from 469/470 BC to 399 BC and is best known for his Socratic method of questioning, which aims to elicit truth by asking a series of questions. Socrates did not write down his teachings, but his ideas and method of questioning have had a lasting impact on Western thought and have been documented by his students, Plato and Xenophon.

Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock in 399 BC in Athens, Greece. This was the result of a trial in which he was accused of corrupting the youth and not recognizing the gods recognized by the state. Despite being offered the opportunity to escape or propose a different sentence, Socrates chose to accept the death penalty. His execution remains one of the most controversial events in ancient Greek history and has been widely debated by philosophers and historians. Till this day, people have been debating on whether he should have died and that he did not do anything wrong. Others debate on whether he deserved to have any notoriety for simply asking questions. Others might argue that his fame is unjustified because his teachings were largely oral and not recorded in writing, and much of what is known about him comes from the writings of his students, such as Plato. Ultimately, the question of whether Socrates deserves his fame is a subjective matter and depends on one's individual values and perspectives.

Although we do not know for certain what Socrates said verbatim since what we know from the man are scriptures and writings from his students, we can narrow down the stages of his dialogues into three parts:

• When Socrates encounters someone who professes expertise on a subject, he compliments them and invites them to share their knowledge.

• Socrates begins by posing seemingly simple questions, but as they develop, it becomes clear that the individual doesn't actually possess any knowledge.


• After admitting their ignorance, Socrates suggests that they both seek wisdom together, but is rejected.

Seems like a basic human thing. A person is curious, decides to not be ignorant or naive and proceeds to ask questions about said topic.

Literally any journalists jobs today . It is crazy to think that people in today's world are getting paid and gaining notoriety and respect for doing what Socrates was literally executed for, but anyways...

Euthyphro was a character in ancient Greek philosophy, known for his appearance in a dialogue by Plato of the same name. As mentioned in "Euthyphro" by Plato which can be located in our Soft Chalk lesson on Socrates, the dialogue is considered one of Plato's early works, and provides insight into Socrates' method of inquiry and his questioning of traditional religious beliefs. In the dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro, Socrates engages in a conversation with Euthyphro about the meaning of piety. He questions Euthyphro's definition of piety and seeks to clarify his own understanding of the concept. Through their discussion, Socrates raises the idea that what is pious might not be universally agreed upon, and that the divine approval of an action does not necessarily make it virtuous. Ultimately, the dialogue ends without a clear conclusion about the nature of piety.

Because of conversations like the one I just quickly summarized for you, he was forced to end his life. Although Socrates himself did not write anything, his ideas were recorded by his students, most notably Plato. Socrates' teachings have had a lasting impact on Western philosophy and have shaped the way that people think about ethics, morality, and the meaning of life, even till this day. For example, Questioning everything: Socrates encouraged his students to question everything, including their own beliefs and values, in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of truth. This can be seen in Sophie's World. Sophie her self as we know is someone who asks a lot of questions. After she got a letter from her dad, she began asking questions about his whereabouts. After she got a letter from a mysterious person that first introduced Socrates and his background, she went back home and had a conversation with her mom that, after asking her mom a bunch of questions, winded up frustrating her mother, just like Socrates did.

Socrates believed that the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge was more important than the pursuit of material wealth or worldly success. Some examples of his ideas in this regard include:

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." Socrates believed that acknowledging one's own ignorance was the first step towards acquiring knowledge.

"I know one thing; that I know nothing." Socrates believed that wisdom came from admitting one's ignorance and constantly striving to learn and grow.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates believed that the pursuit of knowledge and self-awareness was a fundamental part of living a meaningful life.

"He who is not a good servant will not be a good master." Socrates believed that being virtuous and just was more important than achieving success or material wealth.

These ideas demonstrate Socrates' belief that knowledge and wisdom were more important than material possessions and worldly success. By valuing knowledge and virtue above all else, Socrates encouraged individuals to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Socrates believed in the importance of using reason and critical thinking to arrive at the truth and make informed decisions. Some examples of his ideas in this regard include:

The Socratic Method: Socrates used a questioning technique known as the Socratic Method to encourage people to examine their own beliefs and assumptions. By asking questions and guiding the conversation, he helped people to arrive at the truth through their own reasoning and critical thinking.

The importance of questioning: Socrates encouraged people to question everything, including their own beliefs, in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of the truth. He believed that questioning and examining one's beliefs was essential for making informed decisions.

Emphasizing logic and reasoning: Socrates emphasized the importance of using logic and reasoning in decision making. He believed that making decisions based on emotion or popular opinion was not enough, and that one must use reason and critical thinking to arrive at the truth.

Rejecting dogmatism: Socrates rejected dogmatism, the belief in certain ideas as absolute truth without evidence or examination. He encouraged people to constantly question and examine their beliefs in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of the truth.

These ideas demonstrate Socrates' belief in the importance of critical thinking and reasoning in decision making. By encouraging people to question their beliefs and use logic and reasoning, he helped them to make informed decisions based on a deeper understanding of the truth.

Socrates is considered one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy and is widely regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophical thought. There are several reasons why Socrates deserves notoriety:

Innovative teaching style: Socrates used a unique teaching style known as the Socratic Method, which involved asking questions and guiding a conversation in order to encourage critical thinking and arrive at the truth. This method had a profound impact on the development of Western philosophy and continues to be used in educational settings today.

Impact on Western philosophy: Socrates' ideas and teachings had a profound impact on the development of Western philosophy. His emphasis on the importance of self-awareness, the pursuit of wisdom, and the use of critical thinking had a lasting impact on subsequent philosophers and helped to shape the course of Western philosophical thought.

Legacy of critical thinking: Socrates' emphasis on the importance of questioning and critical thinking has had a lasting impact on Western society. He encouraged people to examine their beliefs and assumptions in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of the truth, and his ideas continue to influence education and critical thinking today.

Martyrdom: Socrates' death by drinking hemlock in 399 BC, as punishment for corrupting the youth and impiety, has made him a symbol of integrity, courage, and the pursuit of truth.

Socrates is considered one of the most important figures today and in Western philosophy and deserves notoriety. His ideas, teachings, and legacy continue to be studied and celebrated to this day and also continue to shape the way people think about critical thinking, education, and personal development.