Socrates: The Seeker of Truth and Philosophy

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 24 January 2025 Socrates, The Ancient Greek Philosopher, Is Renowned For His Profound Teachings On Truth, Morality, And The Importance Of Self-Examination. His Ideas, Despite His Execution In 399 BCE, Continue To Influence Modern Thought, Transcending Time And Place. Main Points: 1. Socrates is remembered for his teachings on truth and morality. 2. He was sentenced to death for corrupting youth and denying gods. 3. Socrates advocated for self-examination through logical questioning. 4. He left no written works; his ideas are known through Plato and Xenophon. 5. His philosophy emphasizes the immortality of the soul and wisdom. ------ Socrates ------ Us Pyaale Mein Zahar Tha Hi Nahin Warna Socrates Mar Gaya Hota (There was no poison in that cup, Otherwise, Socrates would have died) Socrates, the great philosopher of ancient Greece, is remembered even today for his thoughts and teachings. His philosophy, based on truth and morality, goes beyond the limits of time and space and remains relevant even in the present day. His life and death proved that the power of ideas is far greater than the constraints of time. In 399 BCE, the court of Athens sentenced Socrates to death on charges of "corrupting young minds" and "denying the existence of gods." He willingly drank the cup of poison, but his teachings never died. Those who sentenced Socrates to death have been forgotten by history, while his ideas continue to inspire the world. Socrates used a logical method known as the "Triple Filter Test" to teach people the value of truth. One day, a man came to him and said, "I have heard something about your friend." Socrates replied, "Before you say anything, answer three questions: Is it true? Is it good? Is it beneficial to me?" When the man’s answer to all three questions was "no," Socrates said, "If it is neither true, nor good, nor beneficial, what is the point of saying it?" Socrates was born in 470 BCE in Athens. His father, Sophroniscus, was a stonemason, and his mother, Phaenarete, was a midwife. In his early life, he learned sculpture and fought bravely in Athens' wars. Socrates married twice; his wives were Xanthippe and Myrto. Despite living a simple life, his thoughts and reasoning were extraordinary. Socrates did not write any books. His teachings have been passed down through his disciples, particularly Plato and Aristotle. He believed that true knowledge lies in understanding the soul, which he considered the only real form of knowledge. Socrates held that the soul is immortal and that the path to God is through truth and virtue. He emphasised that wisdom is the highest virtue and that only an educated person can discern right from wrong. Socrates was a unique figure in the history of philosophy who left behind no written works. Everything known about him comes from the writings of his disciples and fellow philosophers, such as Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle. Many admirers, like Phaedo, published "Socratic dialogues," which recorded his conversations with students, politicians, and other philosophers. However, only Plato and Xenophon’s dialogues have survived to this day. Plato wrote extensively about Socrates, including his final days in works like Euthyphro, Crito, and Apology, which describe Socrates' defence at his trial. Xenophon’s writings, such as Memorabilia and Symposium, capture Socrates' thoughts on various topics, including his defence against his accusers and his views on agriculture. The different portrayals of Socrates by these authors have led to the "Socratic problem," a term scholars use to describe the difficulty of determining the most accurate representation of Socrates. Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living," highlighting that self-examination is essential for a meaningful life. He believed that a good life is achieved by following principles of thought and action, avoiding self-interest, and staying connected to others. According to Socrates, truth is not found in popular opinions or mysticism but through self-reflection. A good teacher, in his view, does not merely impart knowledge but helps students discover truths through questioning. Socrates’ ideas bear a resemblance to Sufi philosophy. He avoided unnecessary debates and focused on simplicity, morality, and humanity. He believed that those who genuinely seek goodness would find it in everything. The charges against Socrates were rooted in his ideas and values. He once said, "I am the wisest because I know that I know nothing." He accepted death for the sake of truth, and his sacrifice immortalised his ideas. The life and teachings of Socrates show that truth and morality are timeless. His words and philosophy continue to inspire generations. Socrates proved that ideas never die; they remain eternal and shape the world. "Only one thing matters in life: the truth and goodness of the soul." - Socrates ----- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/socrates-seeker-truth-philosophy/d/134415 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism