Socrates: The Enigmatic Father of Western Philosophy
Socrates: The Enigmatic Father of Western Philosophy Socrates: The Enigmatic Father of Western Philosophy When one gazes through the mists of antiquity in search of the foundations of Western philosophy, the figure of Socrates emerges—not as a towering writer or lawmaker, but as a streetwise sage who never penned a single book. Born around 470 BCE and executed in 399 BCE , Socrates remains an enduring mystery. His life, ideas, and death continue to inspire generations, not through his own hand, but through the testimonies of his students, especially Plato , and the observations of his contemporaries such as the playwright Aristophanes . 1. The Mystery of Socrates Socrates' life was cloaked in mystery, not because of secrecy, but because of paradox. He was a man who spoke constantly yet wrote nothing , a philosopher who professed ignorance yet inspired the deepest inquiries into truth and morality. Descriptions of his appearance are far from flattering: he was known to be ug...