Contents
Socrates
Making persistent questioning a model of philosophical inquiry.
Question and answer · The examined life
- Born
- Unknown
- Birthplace
- Athens, ancient Greece
- Died
- 399 BCE
More people
Socrates
Socrates was an Athenian philosopher known mainly through other writers, especially Plato and Xenophon. He left no surviving writings of his own.
Early life
Athenian life
Lived in Athens during its democratic and imperial period.
Historical evidence
Accounts of his family and education come from later or literary sources.
Career
- 5th century BCE
Public discussion
Questioned citizens about virtue, knowledge and how to live.
- Peloponnesian War
Military service
Served as a soldier according to ancient accounts.
- 399 BCE
Trial and death
Was convicted in Athens and sentenced to death.
Ideas & legacy
Question and answer
Examined definitions and exposed contradictions in proposed answers.
The examined life
Made reflection on how to live central to philosophy.
Socratic dialogues
Became a central character in Plato’s works.
Historical context
No authored books
The historical person must be distinguished from his portrayals in dialogues.
Continuing influence
His style of questioning remains influential in education and philosophy.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↗Photo: Copy of Lysippos (?). Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
