Socrates: The Great Greek Philosopher and Thinker 

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir about our learning or understanding of Socrates. Here is the link to the professor's blogs for background reading and YouTube video to understand: Clickhere

When we hear the word "philosopher," the name that often comes to mind first is Socrates. He was one of the greatest thinkers in history. Born in Athens around 470 BCE, Socrates didn’t write a single book, yet his ideas have reached us today. That’s because his life, his words, and the way he asked questions were so powerful that his students made sure they were remembered. His thinking gave birth to Western philosophy, and his influence can still be felt in modern education and ethical discussions.

Early Life and Background

Socrates was born around 470 BCE in Athens, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. His father was a stone sculptor, and his mother was a midwife. He lived a simple life. He was not rich. In fact, he wore the same old clothes, walked barefoot, and often skipped meals. People say he was not handsome, but his words and thoughts were very powerful.

Socrates served in the army and was known for being brave and strong. But instead of continuing a life in the army or working like others, he chose to spend his time talking to people. He went to the streets, markets, and gymnasiums of Athens and started asking questions to everyone he met.

Socrates Never Wrote a Book

What’s interesting is that Socrates never wrote anything. He believed that a good life was more important than writing books. He once said,  "The unexamined life is not worth living."  For him, living according to truth and reason was the real goal, not fame or writing.

Our knowledge of Socrates comes mainly from his student Plato, who wrote dialogues based on Socrates’ teachings. One of the most famous ones is "Apology", which describes Socrates’ defence during his trial. It’s important to note that in this context, “apology” means defending oneself, not saying sorry.

The Art of Asking Questions: Socratic Method

Socrates had a unique way of teaching. Instead of giving answers, he asked questions. He would ask again and again — “What is justice?”, “What is virtue?”, “What is love?”, “What is religion?” — until the other person started thinking deeply. He never rushed to define anything. He believed that truth could only come through careful, honest questioning.

This technique became known as the Socratic Method. It helps to clear confusion and go beyond surface-level answers. Today, this method is still used in schools, especially in law and philosophy classes. It teaches students not just to memorize but to think critically and ask meaningful questions. In fact, American education systems, especially at universities, use Socratic questioning to train students to be better thinkers and debaters.

His Students and Influence

Socrates didn’t charge any money to teach. He taught in public spaces and was always open to discussion. Two of his most famous students were Plato and Xenophon. Plato, in particular, carried forward Socrates ideas and became a teacher to Aristotle, who later taught Alexander the Great. In this way, Socrates’ thinking influenced not just philosophy, but also science, politics, and education.

Socrates would often ask three main questions to young people:

1. What do you believe?

2. Why do you believe it?

3. Can you explain it clearly?

These questions encouraged students to think for themselves rather than simply accept what others said.

The Trial of Socrates – 399 BCE

In 399 BCE, Socrates was put on trial. The people of Athens accused him of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods. They believed he was turning young people away from traditional beliefs by making them question everything.

During the trial, Socrates remained calm and firm. In Plato’s "Apology", Socrates says that he only wanted to help people live better and think clearly. He told the court,  "True wisdom is knowing how little you actually know."  But the jury of 500 Athenian citizens found him guilty.

He Had a Choice to Escape

After the trial, Socrates was given a chance to escape. His friends and students were ready to help him run away from prison. But he refused. He believed in obeying the law, even if the law was wrong. He said that escaping would go against everything he had taught about ethics and justice.

The Death of Socrates

Socrates was sentenced to death. His punishment was to drink a cup of hemlock, a poisonous drink. He accepted his fate peacefully. Surrounded by his friends, he drank the poison and slowly passed away.

His calmness in death shocked many. He didn’t cry, panic, or ask for forgiveness. He stayed true to his beliefs until the very end. He became a symbol of truth and courage.

In Plays and Public Opinion

Socrates was even made fun of in a play called "The Clouds" by Aristophanes. In this play, he was shown as a silly man floating in the air and confusing people with nonsense questions. Some historians believe that such plays may have shaped the public’s opinion about him before the trial.

Legacy in Modern Education and Life

Socrates’ way of questioning is still powerful today. In a world full of fake news, half-truths, and WhatsApp forwards, we need Socratic thinking more than ever. His method encourages us to ask "Why do I believe this?", "Is this really true?", and "Can I explain it with reason?"

His teachings are used not just in philosophy, but also in law, ethics, and mental health. His focus on ethics teaches us to live a moral life — to be honest, kind, and fair, even when it is hard.

"Socrates also showed that curiosity is a strength, not a weakness. By asking questions, we become more aware of ourselves and the world around us."

Conclusion

Socrates lived more than 2,400 years ago, but his ideas are timeless. He taught us that knowledge is not about having all the answers, but about always asking better questions. Even though he was poor, mocked, and killed, his thoughts remain alive today. He once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Maybe that’s the best message we can take from him — to live with awareness, courage, and a constant desire to know what is true and become a father of Western Philosophy.

Reference :

Dilipsir Barad's blog on Socrates - The Life and the Trial
https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2024/06/socrates.html