1 page

Socrates Philosophy

Kawtar Ben Hadouch

HUM 405 European Humanities

Southern States University

Professor: Hope Phillips Umansky

Philosophy may be known as the study of fundamental things. It is called the love of wisdom. “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom” (Plato, 2013). People choose Socrates as he has contributed much in this field. Socrates was a Greek philosopher and was called one of the founders of western philosophy, his followers admired him due to his work and contribution. He was endowed with the gifts of great argumentative skills, integrity, profound philosophical insight, and his self-mystery. He was the first one who explored the questions of ethics. The Socrates method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals. At the same time, he is one of the most difficult philosophers to understand completely. He was who told the world that the wishes of happiness and joy motivate human choices.

Socrates dialectic method was the most important contribution in western thought. He largely applied to the examination of key moral concepts like God and justice. This method is also known as method elenchus.

Firstly, the great philosopher was interested in natural science but after some time he started contributing to morality and human behavior. He never took money for teaching. Socrates used to visit public places like markets, gymnasia, and private places talking and arguing, testing ideas. The philosopher wonderfully quoted “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think” (Plato, 2013). Mostly from the youth gradually gained a circle of enthusiastic followers. His search for the truth exposed the ignorance of his enemies. Socrates applied a technique called Socrates technique for truth and justice. He tried to develop a system based on human reason rather than theological doctrine.

He has proposed three principles for philosophy. Discover your life’s purpose, Care for your soul and be a good person so no one will harm you. The famous philosopher said you have to completely know yourself before saying anything about yourself which includes nature, personality, liking, and disliking. Socrates advised people to look into themselves to seek wisdom and virtue, care for their noblest possession, their souls before anything. He believed that writing was not a best way to communicate with others; the famous Socrates said one should talk face to face for smooth communication. If you want to transmit the knowledge you need to talk face to face. With knowledge, it is the disclosure that is written down in the soul of the listener he said.

Socrates believed that philosophy reveals ignorance as it is a process of improving our soul, if you do not question your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs you will live a miserable life. Socrates tried to develop an ethical system for the betterment of humans. He thought that everyone should try to write whether what’s there in their minds. Socrates pointed out, justice to be a very fundamental factor of our society.

According to Socrates virtue and knowledge are the two same things. He often talked about the just man and unjust man, he said, the just man is wise and good, and the unjust man is arrogant and bad. “Only the extremely ignorant or the extremely intelligent can resist the change” (Plato, 2013). It can be seen that the Technique of arguing, which the philosopher introduced is the best ever contribution ever made by him. Studying Socrates is important because literature cannot be completed without his talk; students who study Socratic questioning learn that there are two or more sides to every matter/issue. By following his techniques student can get the best fruit.

References

Lycos, K. (springer). Conclusion: the Socratic Vision. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Plato, C. (2013). Socrates on the Forgetfulness that Comes with Writing. newlearningonline.

Cunningham, L., & Reich, J. (2009). Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. Nelson Education.