Who was Socrates?
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, born around 470 BC, who is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy. He wrote nothing himself and is known mainly through his student Plato.
Socrates spent his time in the public spaces of Athens, questioning people about ideas such as justice, courage and virtue. His method of asking a series of questions to examine beliefs and expose contradictions is called the Socratic method. It is still used in teaching and law schools today.
He famously claimed that he knew nothing, and that wisdom begins with recognizing one's own ignorance. He is often quoted as saying the unexamined life is not worth living. His questioning made some powerful Athenians uncomfortable.
Trial and death
In 399 BC, Socrates was tried for impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens. Found guilty, he was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock, a poison. He refused to flee, accepting the law's judgment. Plato described his trial and last days in dialogues such as the Apology and the Phaedo.
Did You Know?
Socrates's student Plato taught Aristotle, who later tutored Alexander the Great, creating a famous chain of teachers and students.