Socrates

Greek philosopher, citizen of Athens, 5th century BC

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About

Socrates (c. 470-399 BC) was an Athenian philosopher, son of Sophroniscus, a sculptor, and Phaenarete. He served as a hoplite during the Peloponnesian War. He wrote nothing; his thought is known through Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes. He developed the Socratic method (elenchus) to examine moral concepts. He shifted Greek philosophy toward ethics. Accused of impiety and corrupting the youth, he was condemned to death and drank hemlock in 399 BC. He held that virtue is knowledge and that the unexamined life is not worth living.

Key milestones

399 BCCondemned to death by an Athenian jury for impiety and corrupting the youth, he drinks hemlock.
Served as a hoplite during the Peloponnesian War, noted for courage.
Claimed to be guided by a private divine sign (daimonion), an inner voice that warned him.

Themes

Socratic methodEthics and virtueSelf-knowledgeSocratic ignoranceCare of the soul

Sources: britannica.com · rep.routledge.com · oxfordreference.com