“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Who is Socrates?
Socrates (c 470 BC – 399 BC) was a renowned Greek teacher, now recognized as the father of Western philosophy. During his life, Socrates often disrupted the status quo by questioning the public and creating controversy. His views on knowledge and truth have influenced the way many people view learning.
Socrates preferred conversational teaching and didn’t leave a single record behind. As a result, all of the “quotes” from Socrates we have today are actually from the writings of his students (primarily Plato and Xenophon).
Eventually, Socrates was accused of failing to recognize the gods of the city and corrupting the youth through his teachings. According to Plato’s Apology, Socrates took a strong stand at the trial despite his awareness of the potential consequences. He was ultimately sentenced to death and willingly drank a cup of poisonous hemlock instead of attempting to escape with his friends.
Socrates’ Educational Philosophy
Socrates had a lot to say about knowledge and wisdom. On the topic of self-education, he believed that:
- Wisdom begins in admitting your own ignorance.
- Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue.
- People can arrive at truth through questioning.
Admitting Ignorance
Today, many teachers will pretend to know more than they actually do. Socrates, however, would readily admit his own ignorance. In fact, he believed that recognizing this lack of knowledge set him apart from other thinkers. “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing,” he explained. [click to continue…]
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