Socrates (/ˈsɒkrətiːz/; Greek: Σωκράτης Template:IPA-grc, Sōkrátēs; 470/469 BC – 399 BC) was a classical Greek (Athenian) philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes. Plato's dialogues are among the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity, though it is unclear the degree to which Socrates himself is "hidden behind his 'best disciple', Plato".Through his portrayal in Plato's dialogues, Socrates has become renowned for his contribution to the field of ethics, and it is this Platonic Socrates who lends his name to the concepts of Socratic irony and the Socratic method, or elenchus. The latter remains a commonly used tool in a wide range of discussions, and is a type of pedagogy in which a series of questions is asked not only to draw individual answers, but also to encourage fundamental insight into the issue at hand. Plato's Socrates also made important and lasting contributions to the field of epistemology, and the influence of his ideas and approach remains a strong foundation for much western philosophy that followed.
Things are in a bad way: children disrespect their parents, and everyone is writing a book.
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Fact
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The people who brought about his execution would themselves be driven to suicide.
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Credited as the founder of Western philosophy. Subject of the Jacques Louis David painting "The Death of Socrates".
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Born circa 470 B.C. in Athens. Executed in 399 B.C. by being forced by to drink a cup of hemlock after being found guilty of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and "corrupting the youth." Two of his students had twice briefly overthrown the government of Athens, instituting a reign of terror in which thousands of citizens were deprived of their property and either banished from the city or executed.
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Among his pupils was Plato, who, along with the plays of Aristophanes, is the main source of what historians know of his life.
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