Socrates

The Greek philosopher Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher, who lived between approximately 470 and 399 BC. He is best known for his method of argument, which poses questions that may expose logical errors underlying an opponent's argument, though he usually stated that his purpose was not to argue but to pursue the truth in alliance with his opponent. Socrates had served in the army in his youth, like all Greek men of his time. To modern readers he is most familiar as a character in many books by his disciple Plato or his contemporary Xenophon. If Socrates wrote any books himself they are lost. Eventually the courts of Athens found him guilty on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth, and forced him to drink hemlock, a poison that took his life. Socrates had an opportunity to escape from prison, but declined to do so.

Some famous Socrates quotes:

• The unexamined life is not worth living.
• Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
• Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.
• Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.
• I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.

See also

• Aristotle
• Plato

References

Plato, Christopher Gill, The Symposium. London: Penguin Books, 1999