WHO IS SOCRATES AND WHAT IS THE SOCRATIC METHOD

Socrates (sok-ruh-tee-teez) is considered one of the most extraordinary thinkers of History. Socrates was born in Athens probably in 469 B.C., about ten years after the end of Persian Wars, and died in 399 B.C. five years after the end of Peloponnesian War. His life thus spanned in both the golden age of Athenian culture and terrible years of the war with Sparta. Socrates worked as a stonecutter but became famous for his thoughtful conversation with other men of Athens. He never wrote down his teachings, so that most of what we know about Socrates comes from the writings of his student plato (PLAY-toh).

Socrates agreed with the Sophists that it was more important to gain knowledge of Human beings than to investigate nature. He also agreed that knowledge was acquired through reason and that individual could be improved through education. However said Socrates, the sophists had not looked into questions that really mattered: What is the purpose of life? He criticized sophists for teaching young Athenians only the methods for success in politics.

The Socratic method of teaching

According to Socrates an individual should rely in reason, not emotions, to govern his or her behavior. Socrates wanted his fellow Athenians to think critically about how they lived their lives. The unexamined life,” he said is not worth living.” To help people think in this careful way, Socrates carried on conversations or dialogues the speakers are lead to question the truth of every statement and examine critically their own thoughts and the views of others. This question and answer approach to reject views that they could not logically defend. To Socrates, such a discussion between people who were genuinely searching for understanding as a key to knowledge of life.

Many leading Athenians disapproved of Socrates teachings. His insistence on critical thinking and his criticisms of democracy appeared to threaten the city’s tradition. He was officially accused of corrupting Athenian youth and of undermining belief in the city’s gods. The Athenian leaders probably hoped that Socrates would leave Athens and go into Exile. . He chose to stand trial, however, and was condemned to death for teaching dangerous ideas throughout this ordeal, Socrates refused to go against his conscience. Socrates calmly drank poison and talk with his students until it took effect.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF THE WORLD (REVISED EDITION) BY PERRY, DAVIS HARRIS VON LAUE WARREN. 1989