Socrates, a pivotal figure in ancient Greek philosophy, lived during Athens' Golden Age and the Peloponnesian War. His experiences as a soldier and encounters with the Oracle at Delphi shaped his philosophical outlook and approach to seeking wisdom.

Socrates' impact on his students, including Plato and Xenophon, was profound. He favored oral dialogue over written texts, believing it allowed for a more dynamic exchange of ideas and encouraged critical thinking in his pursuit of truth.

Historical Context and Socrates' Life

Historical context of ancient Athens

• Athens reached the pinnacle of its power and influence in the 5th century BCE during the Golden Age of Athenian democracy under the leadership of Pericles, becoming the cultural and intellectual hub of the Greek world
• Socrates lived through the tumultuous period of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), a brutal conflict between Athens and Sparta that resulted in Athens suffering a crushing defeat and subsequent political instability
• Socrates openly criticized Athenian democracy and politicians, asserting that political leaders should possess wisdom and knowledge rather than merely being popular, and questioned the competence of Athenian leadership during the war

Influences on Socrates' philosophy

• Socrates' experience serving in the Athenian military during the Peloponnesian War, where he exhibited bravery and resilience in battle, exposed him firsthand to the consequences of political decisions
• Socrates claimed to have an inner voice or "daimonion" that guided his actions, believing this divine sign helped him make ethical decisions
• The Oracle at Delphi had a profound influence on Socrates, as it proclaimed that no one was wiser than him, prompting Socrates to question the knowledge and wisdom of others in his pursuit of truth

Socrates and his students

• Plato, one of Socrates' most devoted students, wrote dialogues featuring Socrates as the main character and preserved and expanded upon Socrates' ideas in his own philosophical works
• Xenophon, another student of Socrates, wrote several works depicting Socrates' life and teachings, providing a more practical and less idealized portrayal of Socrates compared to Plato
• Socrates profoundly impacted his students' intellectual development by encouraging them to question conventional wisdom, seek truth, and pursue philosophy as a way of life

Reasons for Socrates' oral tradition

• Socrates believed in the superiority of oral dialogue over written texts, as engaging in live discussion allows for a more dynamic exchange of ideas, while written works cannot adapt to the needs and understanding of the reader
• Emphasizing the importance of living an examined life, Socrates believed that philosophy should be practiced through daily conversations and self-reflection, and that writing down one's ideas might lead to dogmatism and intellectual stagnation
• Socrates sought to distinguish himself from the Sophists, who were known for their rhetorical skills and written works, by focusing on the pursuit of wisdom through dialogue