Socrates, the Father of Western Philosophy
Most of what we know about Socrates (470-399 B.C) comes from the writings of his student Plato. Socrates was perhaps the most influential of all ancient Athenians because his student Plato taught Aristotle, and Aristotle taught Alexander the Great.
Socrates was a philosopher who lived in Athens, the cultural center of Ancient Greece. He spent his adult life training young men how to analyze their own lives, and life in general, including religion, morality, and the political systems of the world. Socrates urged his students to “know thyself” and to question the commonly held assumptions of Athens.
The method Socrates used with his students involved asking questions, and compelling his students to probe their own minds for sound judgments regarding the main events and questions of the day. Socrates’ questions poked holes into the philosophical ideas of his students, and forced them to reformulate their conclusions in a lively discussion. Students were encouraged to debate honestly and to be open to losing a debate if another’s ideas were better.
Socrates was a philosopher who lived in Athens, the cultural center of Ancient Greece. He spent his adult life training young men how to analyze their own lives, and life in general, including religion, morality, and the political systems of the world. Socrates urged his students to “know thyself” and to question the commonly held assumptions of Athens.
The method Socrates used with his students involved asking questions, and compelling his students to probe their own minds for sound judgments regarding the main events and questions of the day. Socrates’ questions poked holes into the philosophical ideas of his students, and forced them to reformulate their conclusions in a lively discussion. Students were encouraged to debate honestly and to be open to losing a debate if another’s ideas were better.
The Socratic Way
When Socrates taught, he used a method that is called the dialectic, also known today as the Socratic Method. Simply stated, Socrates used questions to challenge and probe his students’ assumptions, thoughts, and beliefs in a dialog. Through questioning, he caused his students to fully analyze, formulate, and defend their positions. Today, people often refer to these kinds of dialogs as Socratic discussions.
If we want to be completely accurate, it is not correct to refer to the "Socratic Method." After all, Socrates did not develop a method that automatically leads to the truth. Instead, as Dr. John Vervaeke argues, he cultivated a practice that led towards wisdom. That's why it's best to think of it as the "Socratic Way."
Because of Socrates’ method of questioning, his students had to analyze their arguments and question their conclusions. Often, students altered their conclusions when they realized their arguments could not stand up to questioning from Socrates.
The Socratic Way is successful because it challenges students to think through their ideas. Yet for Socrates, truth was not relative. It was to be sought out and, in the end, to lose one’s life for.
If we want to be completely accurate, it is not correct to refer to the "Socratic Method." After all, Socrates did not develop a method that automatically leads to the truth. Instead, as Dr. John Vervaeke argues, he cultivated a practice that led towards wisdom. That's why it's best to think of it as the "Socratic Way."
Because of Socrates’ method of questioning, his students had to analyze their arguments and question their conclusions. Often, students altered their conclusions when they realized their arguments could not stand up to questioning from Socrates.
The Socratic Way is successful because it challenges students to think through their ideas. Yet for Socrates, truth was not relative. It was to be sought out and, in the end, to lose one’s life for.
The Death of Socrates
During the life of Socrates, ancient Athens was in the last days of its supremacy over Greece. Long respected for its cultural and political dominance, Athens was in a battle for survival with the neighboring Greek city-state of Sparta in the Peloponnesian Wars (431 – 404 BC). Whereas Athens was a model of democratic experimentation and intellectual and cultural development, Sparta was the epitome of the military state.
In Athens, men had been encouraged to explore new ideas that questioned the past and the framework for the best society. In Sparta, citizens learned to obey leaders and wield power over subordinates. The Peloponnesian Wars took a toll on Athens, however, and its culture declined.
Athenian citizens grew angry with Socrates because he challenged young men to question the gods of Athens. His probing and observations seemed to state that a polytheistic world was impossible, and that perhaps the Athenian gods were not real. Athenian society could not tolerate a citizen who questioned the beliefs and actions of its members.
Socrates was arrested and sentenced to death for corrupting the youth and for questioning the city’s gods. Although he had a chance to escape, he chose instead to follow the judgment of the Athenian leaders. By not escaping, Socrates sacrificed his life for the right to philosophize, to question authority, and to teach and speak freely. He also showed by not escaping that it is important to respect the laws of the society one lives in, even if it means giving up your life.
Let us keep his spirit alive by teaching our children to think, speak, and write with courage, even when it is counter-culture.
In Athens, men had been encouraged to explore new ideas that questioned the past and the framework for the best society. In Sparta, citizens learned to obey leaders and wield power over subordinates. The Peloponnesian Wars took a toll on Athens, however, and its culture declined.
Athenian citizens grew angry with Socrates because he challenged young men to question the gods of Athens. His probing and observations seemed to state that a polytheistic world was impossible, and that perhaps the Athenian gods were not real. Athenian society could not tolerate a citizen who questioned the beliefs and actions of its members.
Socrates was arrested and sentenced to death for corrupting the youth and for questioning the city’s gods. Although he had a chance to escape, he chose instead to follow the judgment of the Athenian leaders. By not escaping, Socrates sacrificed his life for the right to philosophize, to question authority, and to teach and speak freely. He also showed by not escaping that it is important to respect the laws of the society one lives in, even if it means giving up your life.
Let us keep his spirit alive by teaching our children to think, speak, and write with courage, even when it is counter-culture.
Socrates and Classical Education
There is no question that the Socratic Way is the key to a classical education. In the dialectic stage, which starts around age 11, the Socratic discussion supports a child’s natural curiosity and willingness to argue. At the exact moment when a child begins to express what he thinks about a particular subject, it is essential for the parent and educator to facilitate this natural tendency. Through the rhetoric stage, the Socratic discussion trains the mind to be critical and open to good arguments and all evidence.
Eventually, a student trained in the Socratic Way is able to think on his own and persuasively and vigorously defend good judgment and the truth while rejecting poor judgment and falsehood.
Eventually, a student trained in the Socratic Way is able to think on his own and persuasively and vigorously defend good judgment and the truth while rejecting poor judgment and falsehood.
The Socratic Way and the Wisdom Tradition
Socrates attempted to live a life in pursuit of wisdom and of the truth. He was self-reflective and challenged others to be so as well. He valued friendship over wealth. He was a nuisance to politicians, but in a way that was non-violent and open to discussion. To have an honest discussion with Socrates meant to be open to see one’s own failures.
Socrates loved philosophy so much that he gave the supreme sacrifice for his love of free inquiry and his obedience to the laws of his state. As Professor Gordon Lloyd said, “Socrates is for philosophy what Jesus is for religion and faith.”
Socrates loved philosophy so much that he gave the supreme sacrifice for his love of free inquiry and his obedience to the laws of his state. As Professor Gordon Lloyd said, “Socrates is for philosophy what Jesus is for religion and faith.”
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