Socrates Changed Philosophy Forever

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Socrates theories move away from the previous pre-Socratic philosophers mainly because his goal and answers he wanted were the meaning of mortality and society.

Socrates was born in the Greek city of Athens in 470 BC. His mother Phaenarete was a well loved midwife and his father Sophroniscus was a stone mason by trade. It is said that Socrates married Xanthippe, a woman known for her shrewish demeanor. The couple went on and had three sons; Lamprocles, Sophroniscus and Menexenus. Many scholars believe that Socrates earned his living as a stone mason and then later on abandoned this trade to pursue enlightenment.

Socrates grew up in a time period known as the “Golden Age of Greece”, which was characterized to be rich in democracy, arts and brilliant new ideas. Devouring these fresh and enlightened thoughts, Socrates grew into the wise man we all. He never left Athens except when he served in the army as an honored soldier during the Peloponnesian war. He was part of the Council of 500 for a year, where he made many unpopular votes and decisions. Ironically this association is what led to his demise. One of Socrates friends, Chaerphon visited the oracle of Delphi and was told that there was no man wiser than Socrates in Greece. Unsatisfied, with this response Socrates dedicated his life to prove this statement wrong. He came to the conclusion that he was only the wisest man because he could admit that he was ignorant and had no knowledge, unlike his peers.

In 399 BC Socrates was put on trial for corrupting the youth and charging for wisdom. In the Apology, Plato documented the trial of Socrates, which is one of the most informative documents we have on him today. In the trial, rather than pleading and begg...

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... Protagoras, one of the greatest Sophists ever known believes conflicted with Socrates in many ways. He believe that human knowledge was through experience in this life and not in reincarnation. Protagoras also believe that human reason was not trustworthy and careful observation and world experiences would bring people closer to knowledge.

Socrates strayed away from most of the philosophies that came before him but learned and observed how the individuals developed their own theories. He didn’t believe in many of the Gods. Socrates theory improved and changed philosophy forever. Socrates was able to awaken thinkers and inspire young men to peruse truth and strive towards virtue. His teaching led to the success we have reached today. These theories need to be should be continued study because it will bring us closer to truth on mortality and knowledge.

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