Socrates (born c.470 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher whose way of life, charatcer, and thought exerted a profound influence on Classical antiquity and Western philosophy. Socrates was widely recogonised and controversial figure in his native Athens. Although Socrates himself wrote nothing, he is depicted in conversation in compositions by a small circle of his amdirers, one of them, another influential figure in Western philosophy, was Plato. He is portrayed in these works as a man of great insight, integrity, self-mastery, and arguementative skill.
Early in his life, Socrates was a soldier in the Athenian army and served in three campaigns, Potidaea, Amphipolis, and Delium. At Potidaea, there was a time when Socrates stood by himselfengaged in thought from morning, through lunch and evening. At this point, it was such a sight that others brought their bedrolls outside to watch. Socrates stood in thought through The night until the next morning, where he greeted the sun with prayers when he had finished contemplating.
Socrates was resistant to temperatures. He would walk around barefoot wearing only a simple robe, even in the military. Then, he wore a light cloak over his armour and marched barefoot through snow and ice uncomplaining.
The "Socratic Method", a form of logical argumentation originated by Socrates to inquire about a question with a series of questions. This led many of those Socrates conversed with to withdraw the answer they first gave to Socrates' principal question because the answer does not fit with the subesquent questions asked. Socrates used this to reveal to the interlocutor that they had a poor grasp of the concepts they thought they knew. The Socratic Method is now generally used as educational strategies, though, it is not necessarilly employed in schools. The Socratic Method is also often used in medical fields, but it can't be forgotten in daily life for those of a curious nature.
Famous Socrates Quotes:
"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
"Anyone who holds a true opinion without understanding is like a blind man on the right road."
"Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live."
"There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance."
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison - which he drank willingly. Nearing his death, Socrates lay on the ground and coverd himself up, only to uncover his face to say to his friend: "Crito, I owe the sacrifice of a rooster to Asklepios; will you pay that debt and not neglect to do so?" These words may seem silly to many, but his iron composure when faced with death cannot go unnoticed.