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# Socrates

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Socrates (470 B.C. - 399 B.C.), Greek philosopher, is famous for a great many things. Arguably, his most important contribution to Western thought is something that has come to be known as the [Socratic Method]?--a method of asking questions of a person in order to lead the person into contradicting himself--which laid the foundation for all later rational Western thought. Closely associated with Socrates' use of his method is his desire to discover the logos?, or true nature or essence, of a thing (or concept). For example, in the Euthyphro? Socrates asks a religious man, who believes he knows what piety is, to clarify the concept.

Since he left no writings, all that we know of Socrates comes from the writings of just a few ancient Greeks, primarily Plato, whom Socrates taught, but also Xenophon? and Aristophanes.

Socrates wandered the streets talking to people, though he was a bricklayer by trade and he supported a wife and children. Socrates' reasoning and philosophy, and the questions they raised not only about ephemeral things but also political, moral, and legal matters, drew the ire of the community's leaders who feared he was leading the young people of the city astray. Eventually he was tried on vague charges of corrupting the youth and executed - see /The Trial of Socrates.

Socrates (born Feb,19 1954; Brazil) is also the name of a Brazilian football player, who is one of the best midfield players in football history.

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Last edited July 24, 2001 11:37 am (diff)
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