Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, widely regarded as one of the foundational figures of Western philosophy.

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, widely regarded as one of the foundational figures of Western philosophy. He is best known for the Socratic method of questioning, his focus on ethics and virtue, and his trial and execution in 399 BCE.

What it is

Socrates is the central figure in ancient Greek philosophy who developed the Socratic method — a style of inquiry using careful questioning to examine assumptions, clarify ideas, and test reasoning. He left no surviving writings; most of what we know comes from his student Plato and the historian Xenophon.

Why it matters

Socrates is often described as a founder of Western moral philosophy. His emphasis on self-knowledge and ethical inquiry shaped later thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. In Canada, his methods are studied in schools and universities as a foundation for critical thinking and ethics.

Key details

In 399 BCE, Socrates was tried in Athens on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. He was convicted and sentenced to death, dying after drinking hemlock. His trial and death became a lasting symbol of philosophical integrity and the tension between individual conscience and civic authority.