The Origin of Socrates: What We Know (and Don’t Know)

The Greek philosopher is one of history's most famous figures, but much of his life remains a mystery.

By Sara Novak
Sep 7, 2022 7:00 PM
Socrates
(Credit: Anastasios71/Shutterstock)

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Unless you were a classics major in college, your main exposure to the Greek philosopher Socrates may have been the Socratic Method, a technique that uses probing questions to eventually lead to the critical analysis of a given topic. It’s an effective tool for engaging a classroom, and it’s still used by many college professors today.

But while the Socratic Method was likely Socrates’ most enduring contribution to society, there’s much more to learn about this legendary figure: For many, he's viewed as the founder of Western philosophy itself — and the most exemplary of all the Greek philosophers.

The Origin of Socrates 

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