Socrates: The Pioneer of Ethical Inquiry

Socrates transformed philosophy by shifting the focus from natural phenomena to human ethics and the practice of dialectical questioning. He believed in examining one’s life through constant self-questioning, famously encapsulated in the idea that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Rejecting written texts, he engaged in oral dialogues, using what came to be known as the Socratic method—a process of asking probing questions to clarify ideas and reveal underlying assumptions. His approach encouraged critical thinking and moral introspection, directly challenging the status quo and emphasizing the importance of understanding virtue over merely accumulating knowledge. Socrates’ influence endures, as his method laid the groundwork for Western ethical and philosophical thought.