Socrates was a Greek philosopher from Athens and an intellectual giant of pre- Plato Greece. He was credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, and the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought. Socrates was famous for his teachings.
Biography
Socrates was born in 470 BC in Deme Alopece, Athens. He earned fame due to his political, philosophical, and legal thoughts. He belongs to the family of Athenian sculptors, even known as stonemasons. Since his father was a sculptor, he also followed the path of the craft. In his later life, he studied philosophy on a serious note. Historian says that his devotion to philosophy was abrupt. First, Socrates studied physical science with keen interest. But it could not satisfy him, which led him to study philosophy, to grasp teleological explanation as physical science just contained mechanical explanation about matter and phenomena. He spent his entire life studying philosophical and political problems.
Philosophy
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He was chiefly a philosopher, but he showed keen interest in political affairs at the same time. He was a courageous man and never hesitated to defy the order of the tyrannical rule. Although his lessons were banned, and he was prevented from preaching because the then ruler of Athens considered his lessons harmful. Socrates was a selfless man as he was against the financial remuneration in exchange for his teachings, through his family was facing a great financial crisis.
Though he was a great philosopher, he was sentenced to death with the indictment that he was corrupting the youth, and was also charged with impious.
Socratic Method
The Socratic Method contributes to Western philosophy. He applied his method of inquiry largely to the examination of key moral concepts such as Good and Justice. He is considered the father of philosophy, moral philosophy, or ethics. Also, he is known as the figurehead of all the central themes in Western philosophy.
Socrates also invented an effective approach to problem-solving. He breaks down the problem into several questions, and answers to these questions are gradually the same answer a person would seek for the problem. The effective influence of this methodology is strongly observed today while using business applications, and even scientific methods.
For instance, the work of lawyers involves Socratic questioning, asking a series of questions that surrounds a particular issue. The whole idea behind the methodology involves exposing the opponent’s contradictions in such an innovative way that proves the own point of the respective inquirer.
Socrates Teachings
The principles detailed below are the basis of Socrates’ teachings. Socrates considered the following principles very important as the goals of philosophy.
Discover and pursue the purpose of your life
Just find out who you are, what are your goals or missions in life, and what are you trying to do or become. It is essential to lead a responsible and fully awake life. Indeed, you do not try to find about yourself and your life missions, then there is no worth of your existence. There is no point in front of you to live. Once you have set your missions, you will thoroughly insist on achieving them, and you have the content to live life.
Take care of your Soul
The most essential tasking anyone’s life is caring for his or her soul. Your soul represents who you are. In short, your soul is the real person. It is the overall center of your character that makes you the real you. The soul is the basis and originator of your thoughts, values, and feelings. One of the most important tasks that everyone faces is realizing one’s potential as the person that you are. It is the state of your soul that makes you a wise person or even a foolish one. So, the main lead to getting a wise personality is a healthy soul. By ridding yourself of ignorance and by introspection, you can keep your soul healthy.
Be a Good Human being, and No Outside Force will Harm You
Outside forces will not harm if your soul is healthy and good. It is a very good thing that your soul is not physical, but inward. Therefore, no one can harm it.
Socrates teachings delivered the following important aspects of life:
- Discover a kind of human being who is conscious and intelligent. He must have the ability to grasp the first principles of logic, mathematics, morality, and religion instantly.
- One should establish a connection between knowledge, and folly, and virtue.
- One should be aware of others’ higher intellect produces insights into immortality of the human soul and divinity.
- He states that the higher nature of human beings is the same for all, or it is universal.
- To achieve higher intelligence, he presented the method of dialectic.
His teachings influence the people in today’s scenario as well. While we might not see his theories in prevalent use, most of it that we believe today is somewhere derived from his ordeals. And, we are open to agree and disagree with his philosophy. But, we can for sure critically analyze and learn from if it.
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