Socrates

470 BCE – 399 BCE Ancient Era Greek Forces

Socrates (c. 470–399 BCE) was a classical Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. Unlike earlier philosophers who focused on cosmology, Socrates turned philosophy toward questions of ethics and how one ought to live. He developed the Socratic method—a form of cooperative dialogue in which he would ask probing questions to expose contradictions in his interlocutors' beliefs, leading them toward deeper understanding. Socrates himself wrote nothing; his ideas survive primarily through the dialogues of his student Plato and the writings of Xenophon. He believed that wisdom begins with recognizing one's own ignorance, famously claiming to know only that he knew nothing. His relentless questioning of Athenian leaders and conventions eventually led to his trial on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. Found guilty, he was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. His calm acceptance of the sentence, and his refusal to flee when given the chance, cemented his legacy as a martyr for free inquiry and the examined life.

Quotes

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

View Shirt →

"I know that I know nothing."

View Shirt →

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

View Shirt →

"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us."

View Shirt →

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

View Shirt →

"Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people."

View Shirt →

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."

View Shirt →

"He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have."

View Shirt →

"Wonder is the beginning of wisdom."

View Shirt →

"To find yourself, think for yourself."

View Shirt →

$24.99