#864 - Donald Robertson - The True Story Of History’s Greatest Philosopher

Donald Robertson and Chris Williamson explore the Socratic method, Socrates' distinctive approach to philosophy centered on dialogical investigation.

The Socratic method is Socrates' trademark philosophical approach of questioning and challenging people's assumptions and beliefs

Robertson and Williamson discuss the nature of the Socratic method and how it was used by Socrates to probe people's understanding of various concepts.

Socrates would ask people to define abstract concepts like justice, courage, and piety, then probe for exceptions and contradictions in their definitions

Donald Robertson provides insights into the way Socrates would engage in discussion with people. Socrates would begin by asking individuals to define a concept, often a virtue such as piety, courage, or justice. He would use their own experiences as the basis for questioning the underlying assumptions in their beliefs. Socrates often provoked further thinking by presenting exceptions to the definitions provided, leading to a re-examination of the initially provided understanding.

The Socratic method is designed to foster critical thinking and self-examination, rather than just passively acquiring knowledge

Robertson points out that Socrates believed in actively questioning and challenging rather than accepting surface appearances or simplistic answers. Socrates asked people to elaborate on their definitions of virtues and explored the concepts through examples and counterexamples to expose flaws and oversights. The discussions usually took place in a public setting, as when Socrates approached politicians and asked them to define the nature of justice, often embarrassing them and revealing their shallow understanding.

The goal of the Socratic method is to foster critical thinking and self-examination. Rather than simply passively receiving and memorizing precepts, Socrates encouraged individuals to actively question, seek deeper understanding, and think for themselves. This method is about engaging with ideas critically and thoughtfully, rather than merely accepting expertise or credentials at face value. It involves questioning and examining life as an ongoing process of personal development.

By revealing logical inconsistencies in people's thinking, the Socratic method aims to encourage deeper reflection on the nature of virtue and the good life

Through his method, Socrates aimed to help individuals realize there was more to concepts like justice and courage than they might have initially thought. For example, Socrates would ask a young boy who could easily define a good friend to consider how many of those qualities he exhibited himself. This was indicative of fostering critical thinking related to one's own behavior and understanding of friendship.

Through dialogues filled with rich questions and explorations of various perspectives, Socrates often led participants to a state of aporia or perplexity, which was seen as beneficial because it led individuals to acknowledge their limits of knowledge and encourag ...

Socrates, regarded as one of the most profound philosophers in Western history, held steadfast principles about wisdom, ethics, and self-reflection that continue to resonate in modern philosophical discussions.

Socrates believed that true wisdom consists not in accumulating knowledge, but in recognizing one's own ignorance and limitations

Socrates aimed to show people through questioning that their assumptions about morality and wisdom might be unfounded. His philosophy focused on recognizing one's ignorance as the first significant step towards true wisdom. For Socrates, this was crucial when examining important life concepts like fear and death. Donald Robertson notes Socrates’ style was not about winning arguments but provoking thought, ensuring self-awareness prevailed. This practice was not born from a sense of superiority; indeed, after dialoguing with so-called wise men, Socrates humbly acknowledged that his wisdom consisted solely in his awareness of his own ignorance.

Socrates did not see himself as wiser than others, but rather as someone who had simply come to terms with the fact that he did not truly know anything with certainty

Socrates' stance of self-declared ignorance is demonstrated in his reaction to the Delphic Oracle proclamation. Skeptical of being the wisest man, Socrates conversed with others only to discover that while many claimed wisdom, they often contradicted themselves. His conclusion was that he was wiser only in the recognition of his ignorance, and it was this humility that defined his approach to death and life.

Socrates felt that the unexamined life was not worth living, and that the goal of philosophy should be an ongoing process of personal development through deep self-reflection

For Socrates, the purpose of life was to engage in the continual examination of one's life and to seek personal development through this appraisal of ethics and moral stature—philosophy, to him, was less about factual knowledge and more about self-betterment.

Socrates advocated for a practical, down-to-earth philosophy focused on ethics and daily life, in contrast to the abstract natural philosophy that preceded him

Socrates revolutionized philosophy by bringing it into the everyday, applying philosophical thinking to common life and deepest human concerns. By critical of the Sophists, who prioritized debate skills over genuine ethical inquiry, Socrates instead highlighted the preeminence of moral integrity and self-improvement—echoing his disdain for mere ...

Socrates' life and death were deeply intertwined with 5th century BCE Athens' turbulent political events, and he left an indelible mark on Western philosophy, often regarded as its founder.

Socrates' life and death were deeply intertwined with the turbulent political events of 5th century BCE Athens

Socrates was known for his military service and commitment to Athens, even as he challenged the city's leaders and institutions

Socrates' life was incredibly dramatic, and it was influenced heavily by his experiences as a heavy infantryman who fought in at least three major battles of the Peloponnesian War. He also survived a terrible plague and lived through different political regimes, including a dictatorship, which carried out brutal political purges. His military service was notable; he stood from sunrise to sunrise during a battle while besieging a city in the north of Greece. Despite his military allegiance, he also challenged Athens' leaders and institutions, maintaining associations with influential figures like Alcibiades.

Socrates was ultimately put on trial and sentenced to death on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth, which he faced with remarkable courage and defiance

Socrates was brought to trial under charges of impiety—which meant he did not believe in the traditional gods—and corrupting the youth. Both were standard charges used against intellectuals in Athens. In his defense, he discussed not fearing death, rejected the idea of begging for mercy, and was unapologetic. His family was not present at the trial, indicating he wasn’t going to plead for clemency. Known for facing battles, a plague, and brushes with death, he approached his own trial and execution with defiance and without fear. In prison, even when offered an opportunity to escape by his friends, he chose to stay true to his values.

Socrates had a profound and lasting impact on Western philosophy, often being regarded as the founder of the field

Socrates did not write down his own ideas, but instead spread his influence through his legendary conversations and interactions with students and fellow Athenians

Donald Robertson explains that Socrates became iconic through conversations and interactions, rather than through written works, developing his renowned Socratic method after the incident with the Oracle at Delphi. The essence of Socr ...