When someone asked the Oracle of Delphi if there is any man smarter then Socrates the Oracle replied. "No". Our humble web page will examine the life of this enigmatic Sage.

Socrates (469-399 BC).

Socrates had distinguished himself for bravery several times as a young man in battle. He seemed amblivient to personal hardship and discomfort.
Socrates had a "daimon" (his genii or demon)--an inner voice which issued prohibitory messages in periods of dazes (suggestive of epilepsy).

His persistent questioning of authorities and public figures was probably aimed not to humiliate but to discover the real Truth with a objective to gaining higher conciscousnes.

The great example of the trial and death of Socrates demonstrated, as well, the agreement between his character and his philosophy.

Socrates was found guilty of impiety which meant not worshipping the gods the state worshiped, corruption of the youth, which likely meant suggesting the youth the spirit of criticism of Athenian society.

Socrates refused to leave Athens, although he could have escaped: (1) escape would have been contrary to his moral principles and (2) escape would have been an injustice to the state which was his parent, education, and origin of law.

Apology [28B]: "You are mistaken my friend, if you think that a man who is worth anything ought to spend his time weighing up the prospects of life and death. He has only one thing to consider in performing any action--that is, whether he is acting right or wrongly, like a good man or a bad one" trans. Hugh Tredennick.

Self-knowledge is the sufficient condition to the good life. He identified knowledge with virtue. If knowledge can be learned, so can virtue. Thus, virtue can be taught.

The unexamined life is not worth living. One must seek knowledge and wisdom before private interests. Knowledge is sought as a means to ethical action.

What one truly knows is the dictates of one's conscience or soul: the philosophy of the Socratic Paradox.

Socrates presupposed reason was the way to the good life.
Our true happiness is promoted by doing what is right. When your true utility is served (tending your soul), you are achieving happiness. Happiness is evident from the long-term effect on the soul. The Socratic ethics has a teleological character -- mechanistic explanation of human behavior is mistaken. Human action aims toward the good, and there is purpose in nature. No one chooses evil or chooses to act in ignorance. We seek the good, but fail to achieve it by ignorance or lack of knowledge as to how to obtain it.

No one would harm themselves. When harm comes to us, we thought we were seeking the good, but we lacked knowledge. Aristotle's criticism: an individual might know what is best, yet still do what's wrong.

Xenophon the mercenary historian, also said to be the pupil of Socrates wrote much about his Master, the enimagtic sage.