Socrates: Much More Than A Legend

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Recommended: Brief History of Education: Ancient Greek and Roman Education

Around the fourth century BCE, philosophy in Ancient Greece arose rapidly. This early form was speculative, so it was based entirely off the reasoning process without any factuality involved. While the Hellenistic Era approached, philosophy was taken to a whole new level. During Greece’s Golden Age, Socrates emerged expanding on these basic beliefs by using his inquisitive mind. Although Socrates’ ideology set the basis for western thought, his dedication to his beliefs brought him about as a polarizing figure in Athens.

With Socrates’s ability of daringly questioning people’s fundamental beliefs, came a brand new reputation. He was the first person to present the idea of a distinction between the body and the soul (Huffman 567). In the end, Socrates placed an emphasis on the soul because it contained all of a person’s views. One of his main beliefs was that people just accept the ideas of others without thinking principles out for themselves (Zannos 32). A well-known technique of cross-examination that allowed each individual to recognize misinterpreted thoughts was the Socratic Method (King 23). It consisted of the philosopher asking simple questions, then giving his pupils a chance to respond. If the answer was inaccurate, they were to rethink it and justify the error that had misled them before. This convenient process allowed anybody to seek themselves and end up with a simple solution. In addition, he offered lectures free of charge, only hoping to educate his pupils in such a way that they would become just like him (Zannos 33). Therefore, he was emotionally attached with them and only wanted their well-being. However, one of his students who seemed loyal, Alcibiades, betrayed Athens in the Peloponnesian War by joini...

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...ained more confidence and preached frequently, citizens didn’t appreciate his criticism. Even when his life was at stake, his beliefs would always dominate in significance. Although Socrates had some ups and downs in his lifetime, he left his mark deep into the roots of Ancient Greece. Philosophers would follow his teachings and embark on the logic of the Socratic Method for years later to come….

Works Cited

King, Peter. One Hundred Philosophers. London: Quarto Publishing, 2004.

Don, Nardo. Ancient Philosophers. New York: Thomson Gale, 2004.

Zannos, Susan. The Life and Times of Socrates. Hockessin: Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2005.

Huffman, Carl. The World Book Encyclopedia: “Socrates.” New York City: Scott Fetzer Company, 2010.

Sacks, David. “Socrates.” Facts on File. Facts on File Inc., 2/7/11. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. .

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