Socrates Worksheets
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Fact File
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Table of Contents
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Summary
- Early Life and Background
- Philosophical Method and Ideas
- Relationship with Other Philosophers
- Trial and Death
Key Facts And Information
Let’s know more about Socrates!
Socrates, the father of Western philosophy, was a Greek thinker known for questioning beliefs to find the truth. He wrote nothing himself, but his student Plato recorded his ideas. He focused on ethics, knowledge, and how to live a good life. His questioning method, now called the Socratic Method, is still used today. Despite his influence, he was sentenced to death for allegedly corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods.
A portrait bust of Socrates
Early Life and Background of Socrates
- Socrates was born in 470 or 469 BCE in the Athenian deme of Alopece. His father, Sophroniscus, was a stoneworker and his mother, Phaenarete, was a midwife. While his family was not extremely wealthy, they were well-off enough for Socrates to inherit part of his father’s estate.
- As a young boy, Socrates followed the traditional Athenian education. He learnt how to read and write and was also taught poetry, music and gymnastics, which were common subjects for boys from wealthy families. These lessons gave him knowledge of literature and philosophy, but instead of simply accepting what he was taught, he later became known for questioning ideas and encouraging others to think more deeply.
- Socrates served as a hoplite (foot soldier) in the Athenian army during the Peloponnesian War. He fought in at least three important battles – Potidaea, Delium and Amphipolis. According to Plato, he showed great bravery and even saved the life of Alcibiades, a well-known Athenian general.
- In his personal life, Socrates was married twice. His best-known wife was Xanthippe, and they had three sons together. He also reportedly married a daughter of Aristides, an Athenian statesman, though it is unclear whether this was before or after Xanthippe.
- Socrates lived a very simple life. He owned only one worn-out coat, walked barefoot and rarely bathed. He did not care about his appearance and was often described as ugly, with a flat nose, bulging eyes and a round belly. His friends would joke about the way he looked, but Socrates did not mind – he believed that caring for the soul was more important than worrying about the body.
Philosophical Method and Ideas
Socratic Method
- The Socratic Method was Socrates’ main way of teaching and learning. Rather than giving straightforward answers, he would ask many thoughtful questions to encourage people to think about their own beliefs. His goal was not just to provide information but to make people think more deeply and question what they believed.
- This method helped people spot mistakes or contradictions in their thinking and made them rethink their ideas. As a result, they would understand the topic better. Socrates often used this method when talking about complex ideas like justice, virtue and knowledge, which need careful thought.
- At the time, many teachers called sophists used philosophy to persuade or impress people. They cared more about winning arguments than finding the truth. Socrates, however, disagreed. He believed teaching should be about asking questions and exploring ideas, not just convincing others.
- Socrates started using the Socratic Method after his friend Chaerephon visited the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle claimed that no one was wiser than Socrates. This confused Socrates because he didn’t think he was especially wise. He decided to use questioning to figure out what the Oracle meant and to understand what true wisdom really was.
- He began having conversations with the people of Athens, encouraging them to think about their beliefs and whether they could justify them. The result was often aporia, a state where the person realised they didn’t have a clear answer, leading to confusion or doubt. Socrates believed that real wisdom started with recognising that you don’t know everything.
- The main technique in the Socratic Method is called elenchus, meaning cross-examination or refuting someone’s beliefs. In this technique, Socrates would ask careful questions to challenge what others believed. Rather than giving his own answers, he would guide the person through a series of questions that revealed weaknesses in their thinking. The aim was to help people discover the truth on their own, rather than just telling them what he thought.
- Socrates didn’t use the Socratic Method to create final answers or theories. Instead, he used it to show that many common beliefs were flawed. He didn’t always provide answers and sometimes left questions unanswered, encouraging people to keep thinking for themselves. He believed that self-reflection was important for living a good and meaningful life.
- Although Socrates’ method made him popular with young thinkers in Athens, it also made him enemies. His challenges to popular beliefs and questioning of powerful people upset many. Despite this, the Socratic Method has had a lasting impact on philosophy and education. It is still widely used today, especially in law, philosophy and education.
Definitions
- A big part of Socrates’ philosophy was asking for clear definitions. Before talking about right or wrong, he would often ask, ‘What is courage?’ to understand what it really meant. This helped him figure out the true meaning of these ideas, instead of just accepting what people thought they meant.
- Socrates didn’t ask for definitions just to be thorough. He used them to understand the real meaning of these concepts. For example, to understand courage, he would look at examples and try to find what they all shared. By doing this, Socrates wanted to discover the true nature of each virtue, going beyond the usual way people understood them.
- At the time Socrates lived, sophists were already starting to question traditional ideas about virtue and truth. They often suggested that concepts like justice and goodness were just made-up ideas, depending on society’s views. Socrates, in contrast, wanted to find clear, universal definitions to show what these virtues really meant.
Socrates engaging in discussions
- While most scholars agree that Socrates often started his discussions by asking for definitions, some believe that this was not always the case. There are times in his dialogues where he seems less focused on definitions and more on exposing contradictions in people’s beliefs.
- Philosopher Peter Geach, though agreeing that Socrates focused on definitions, argues that this approach is flawed. Geach suggests that knowing something does not always require being able to define it precisely. For example, someone might understand the idea of courage without being able to give a perfect definition of it.
Religious Beliefs
- Socrates’ religious beliefs were different from most people’s and he questioned traditional practices. In Ancient Greece, religion was not organised under one system but included many festivals, rituals and sacrifices to different gods.
- People took part in public ceremonies and carried out private rituals without any holy books or official guidelines. Religion was part of daily life, but it was not organised under one belief system.
Socrates, however, questioned these beliefs and practices, which led to debates about his views:
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- Was Socrates a true believer or an atheist? – Some argue that he was a religious man, while others believe he was provoking society by rejecting traditional religious practices.
- Did Socrates respect the gods or was he impious? – Many saw his questioning of religious beliefs as disrespectful.
- Was his approach to religion acceptable in Ancient Greek society? – Since Greek religion was deeply tied to daily life, Socrates’ challenges to common beliefs and rituals sparked controversy.
- Did Socrates want to reform religious beliefs or reject them? – Some see him as trying to improve people’s understanding of the divine, while others think he was dismissing traditional practices entirely.
- Although Socrates didn’t deny the existence of gods, he had a different understanding of them. In Plato’s Euthyphro, Socrates asks whether something is good because the gods want it, or if the gods want it because it is good. This is known as the Euthyphro dilemma and challenges the idea that gods simply tell people what is right or wrong.
- Socrates believed that goodness is separate from the gods, and that even the gods must be just and wise. This was a big shift from the traditional view in Greek religion, where gods were often seen as beings who decided what was good and bad.
- Socrates also rejected the common religious practices of the time, especially the idea of performing sacrifices in hopes of gaining something in return from the gods. Instead, he believed that true worship involved philosophy and the search for knowledge. For Socrates, piety was not about doing rituals for personal gain, but about using reason and wisdom to understand the divine.
- Socrates did not follow traditional religion, but he believed in divine signs. He often talked about his daimonion, an inner voice that guided him. This voice did not tell him what was right or wrong but warned him about dangers or bad choices. This divine sign was important to Socrates and his spiritual beliefs, even though he didn’t tie it to any particular god or religious tradition.
- In Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates says the soul lives on after the body dies. This idea was important to his philosophy, as he used it to show why living a good and virtuous life matters. He didn’t focus on the details of the afterlife but believed that how people live now matters because the soul continues after death.
- In Xenophon’s Memorabilia, Socrates argues that the universe shows signs of divine creation. He points out that humans have special abilities that other animals don’t, and suggests that a divine creator must have designed the world with a purpose.
- He also believes this creator must be all-knowing and all-powerful, and that the universe was created for the benefit of humanity. At times, Socrates speaks of one supreme god, but he also refers to many gods, which could mean that he believed in a main deity with other gods serving different purposes.
Virtue
- Socrates believed that virtue was the most important quality a person could have. He thought that virtue was closely connected to wisdom and that people only do wrong because they don’t truly understand what is right. For him, if someone really knows what is good, they will naturally do good things. This idea is often summed up as ‘virtue is knowledge’.
- Socrates also believed that all virtues – like courage, justice and wisdom – were connected because they were all forms of knowledge. He argued that understanding virtue was the key to living a good life. This led to another famous idea: ‘No one makes mistakes on purpose.’ In other words, people don’t choose to do wrong deliberately; they simply don’t know any better.
- In the dialogue Protagoras, Socrates said that all virtues are linked. He used courage as an example, explaining that a truly brave person must also understand what dangers are worth facing. Without this knowledge, someone might act recklessly rather than bravely. Aristotle later wrote about Socrates’ ideas, saying that he believed virtues were like skills – if someone truly understood justice, they would naturally be a just person.
- Socrates’ ideas about virtue were not just theories. He wanted people to use them to live better lives. He thought that being a good person was more important than wealth, power or even life itself. He believed that taking care of the soul by thinking about one’s actions and seeking wisdom was the most important goal in life. His famous statement, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living’, shows that he believed self-reflection and learning were essential for a meaningful life.
Love
- Socrates saw love as more than just attraction or romance. For him, love was a way to grow as a person and seek wisdom. In Plato’s Symposium, he shares what he learnt from a woman named Diotima. She taught him that love isn’t just about beauty or pleasure – it should help people become wiser and better. This idea, known as Platonic love, suggests that true love isn’t just about feelings or desire but about becoming a better person through it.
- Socrates explored different types of love, including love between parents and children and love between friends. In Lysis, he talks about how parents love their children but also set rules for them. He suggests that people might love others because they are useful to them, but scholars argue about whether he truly believed this or if he was just making a point.
- Some think Socrates believed love was selfish, meaning people only love others if they get something in return. Others believe he also thought love could be selfless, especially in marriage.
- In Symposium, Socrates talks about love and immortality. He suggests that parents feel connected to their children because they see them as a way to live on after they die. He also believed that love should be guided by reason, meaning that love should not be based only on emotions or desires but should help people grow in wisdom and goodness.
Political Views
- Socrates was involved in political discussions, but he did not take part in government by running for office or making laws. Instead, he believed his job was to improve people’s morals through philosophy. He thought politics should focus on making people better, not just winning votes or making speeches.
- Socrates was not a strong supporter of Athenian democracy. In Gorgias, he says that he is one of the few people practising ‘true politics’ because he focuses on what is best rather than what is popular. He criticised politicians for using tricks to convince people instead of guiding them with wisdom. He also believed that most citizens did not have enough knowledge to make good political decisions and that leaders should be chosen for their wisdom, not their popularity.
- Even though he criticised democracy, Socrates still respected Athenian laws. Some people believe this means he supported democracy in some way, while others argue that he preferred rule by a small group of wise leaders (oligarchy). His friends mostly supported oligarchy, and he often spoke against majority rule. However, he also refused to follow an unfair order from the oligarchic Thirty Tyrants, showing that he did not fully agree with either system.
- Socrates believed that people should obey the laws of their city. In Crito, he refuses to escape from prison, saying that because he chose to live in Athens, he must accept its laws – even if they were used unfairly against him. He saw the relationship between the city and its people as an agreement: if someone disagreed with the laws, they could leave, but if they stayed, they had to follow them.
- At the same time, Socrates believed that people should resist unfair orders. In Apology, he says that one should never do something wrong, even if ordered to. He showed this belief when he refused to arrest an innocent man for the Thirty Tyrants. Because of this, some scholars see him as an early supporter of civil disobedience – the idea that people should refuse to follow laws that are unfair.
- Socrates believed that leaders should be wise and just, not focused on power or popularity. He thought rulers should make decisions based on reason and virtue, not public opinion. His idea of a good leader is similar to the philosopher-king in Plato’s Republic – a leader who seeks truth and wisdom instead of personal gain.
Relationship with Other Philosophers
- Socrates was one of the most influential thinkers in history, and his ideas shaped the work of many philosophers who came after him. However, since he never wrote anything himself, everything known about him comes from the writings of others. These sources present different versions of Socrates, making it difficult to determine his true beliefs. This challenge is known as the Socratic Problem.
Portrait bust of Plato
Relationship with Other Philosophers
- Socrates was one of the most influential thinkers in history, and his ideas shaped the work of many philosophers who came after him. However, since he never wrote anything himself, everything known about him comes from the writings of others. These sources present different versions of Socrates, making it difficult to determine his true beliefs. This challenge is known as the Socratic Problem.
Plato
- Plato was the most well-known student of Socrates. Most of what we know about Socrates comes from Plato’s writings, which were written in the form of dialogues – conversations between Socrates and other characters. These include The Republic, Apology, Phaedo and Meno, among others.
- Plato portrayed Socrates as a deep thinker who used questioning to uncover truth and challenge assumptions. However, scholars debate how much of Plato’s Socrates is historically accurate and how much is Plato’s own philosophy.
- Some believe that Plato’s early works reflect the real Socrates, while his later works mix in Plato’s own ideas. This makes it hard to separate the historical Socrates from the ‘Platonic Socrates’.
Xenophon
- Xenophon, another student of Socrates, described him in a simpler and more practical way. Unlike Plato, Xenophon was not a trained philosopher – he was a soldier and historian. His writings, such as Memorabilia and Oeconomicus, present Socrates as a wise and ethical man who gave practical advice rather than engaging in deep philosophical discussions.
- Xenophon’s Socrates is less ironic, less humorous, and lacks some of the philosophical depth seen in Plato’s version. He focuses more on everyday morality, discipline and leadership. Some scholars see Xenophon’s account as more realistic, but others think it makes Socrates seem less intelligent than he really was.
Aristotle
- Aristotle, who was Plato’s student, never met Socrates but was influenced by his ideas. Unlike Plato, Aristotle was critical of some of Socrates’ beliefs. He agreed that knowledge and virtue are connected but argued that knowledge alone does not make a person good – habit and experience also shape character.
- Aristotle treated Socrates more as a historical figure than as a character in his writings. However, since Aristotle’s work came long after Socrates’ death, his account is more of an analysis rather than a firsthand description.
Critics
Not everyone admired Socrates. Some thinkers and political figures criticised him, which eventually led to his trial and execution.
- The Sophists – The Sophists were teachers who specialised in rhetoric and persuasion. Socrates often debated them, as he believed they focused too much on winning arguments rather than discovering truth. While Sophists argued that truth was relative, Socrates believed in absolute moral truths.
- Aristophanes – The playwright Aristophanes made fun of Socrates in his comedy The Clouds, showing him as a silly philosopher who taught confusing ideas. Though meant as a joke, this may have harmed Socrates’ reputation.
- Anytus and the Athenian Authorities – Anytus, a politician, believed Socrates was a bad influence on young people and disrespected traditions. He and others helped bring Socrates to trial and execution.
Trial and Death of Socrates
- Socrates was put on trial and sentenced to death in 399 BCE. He was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city’s gods. However, his trial was about more than just these charges – it was also influenced by the political and social problems in Athens at the time.
- Many people saw Socrates as a troublemaker because he questioned authority and traditional beliefs. Some also blamed him for inspiring young men, like Alcibiades and Critias, who later became enemies of democracy.
- At his trial, Socrates defended himself before a jury of about 500 citizens. His accuser, Meletus, along with Anytus and Lycon, claimed that Socrates was misleading the youth, much like the Sophists– teachers who were often seen as dishonest. Socrates denied being a Sophist, saying that he only wanted to find the truth.
- Despite his arguments, the jury found him guilty by a small margin. When asked to suggest his own punishment, he jokingly said he should be given free meals for life, as if he were a hero. Instead, the jury sentenced him to death by a larger vote.
- Even though his friends encouraged him to escape, Socrates refused. He believed in following the law, even when it was unfair. In his final hours, as described in Plato’s Phaedo, he calmly talked about the soul and life after death with his followers. Then, he drank the poison hemlock and passed away peacefully.
Image Sources
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Socrate_du_Louvre.jpg/800px-Socrate_du_Louvre.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/The_Debate_Of_Socrates_And_Aspasia_%282%29.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Plato_Silanion_Musei_Capitolini_MC1377.jpg/800px-Plato_Silanion_Musei_Capitolini_MC1377.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions About Socrates
- Who was Socrates?
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, widely regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is known for his method of questioning (the Socratic Method) and his influence on his students, including Plato.
- Did Socrates write any books?
No, Socrates did not write anything himself. Most of what we know about him comes from the writings of his students, particularly Plato and Xenophon.
- What was the Socratic Method?
The Socratic Method is a form of questioning that challenges assumptions and encourages critical thinking. It involves asking a series of probing questions to help someone examine their beliefs and reach logical conclusions.