A Curious Boy in Athens
Socrates was born around 470 BCE in Athens, Greece.
His father was a sculptor and his mother was a midwife.
Young Socrates was a little different from other children.
Even when his friends were playing, he would constantly ask questions like,
“Why is the sky blue?” or “Who decides what is right?”
Though he had a strong build, his appearance was plain, and he never stood out in a crowd.
However, his words had the power to move people’s hearts.
The Philosopher in the Streets
When Socrates became an adult, he walked through the streets of Athens and began engaging in conversations with all kinds of people.
Citizens, craftsmen, politicians, young people―it didn’t matter who they were.
“What is justice?” “What is happiness?” “What does it mean to be a good person?”
He asked these deep questions and then went even further, digging into their answers.
“I see. But do you think that idea applies to everyone?”
Socrates would always respond calmly, yet sharply, making people think,
“Is that really true?”
This is what we now call the Socratic Method.
A Threat to the Powerful
Not everyone liked Socrates.
Some powerful people in Athens thought he was dangerous because he made young people question their parents, teachers, and even the gods.
Others thought he was just making trouble.
He wasn’t trying to harm anyone―he believed that asking questions helped people become better and wiser.
Trial and Passing
In 399 BCE, Socrates was put on trial.
He was charged with “corrupting the youth” and “not believing in the gods of Athens.”
Even during the trial, Socrates did not bend his beliefs or stop asking questions.
His friends tried to persuade him to escape, but Socrates refused, saying,
“Even if the law is unjust, we must still obey it.”
He was found guilty and drank a poison called hemlock, quietly passing away from this world.
A Lasting Legacy
Socrates never wrote anything down, but his student Plato did.
Most of what we know about Socrates comes from Plato’s writings.
Socrates’ ideas became the foundation of Western philosophy.
He inspired many other great thinkers, including Aristotle, Descartes, and many modern philosophers.
Even today, Socrates is remembered for showing us how to ask the right questions.
“I know that I know nothing.”
This simple phrase encapsulates the essence of Socrates’ philosophy, which can be seen as the very starting point of philosophical inquiry.
It reflects his belief that true wisdom lies not in assuming knowledge, but in recognizing one’s own ignorance and maintaining a willingness to learn.
