7 SOCRATES' CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHILOSOPHY - PHILOSOPHY - 2024

The contributions of Socrates to philosophy have been so important that marked a before and after in this discipline. In fact, a distinction is often made between pre- and post-Socratic philosophers.

Socrates was a philosopher of Ancient Greece. Known as the father of philosophy, it is estimated that he lived in Athens between 470 BC and 399 BC, where he devoted himself to deep reflection on aspects of life that until now no one had stopped to reflect or analyze.

Socrates is known to have given the first teachings to a series of disciples who would later go on to develop their own philosophical concepts, like Plato. It is said that he frequented and shared his ideas on the streets of Athens with those who approached him, managing to transform his listeners through his approaches.

He has been described as a man of ironic character and careless appearance. Socrates did not leave any type of writing or record of his postulates and philosophical positions, but these were reflected in other works by the hand of one of his pupils: Plato.

Socrates is recognized as the father of philosophy because he began to lay the foundations for philosophical thought: questioning; and also the elements to make it more effective: the power of the word.

Socrates' contributions to philosophy made it possible to subject reality and the world to constructive criticism.

Socrates' main contributions to philosophy

Critical analysis of the concepts of life

Socrates conceived moral philosophy; that is, the one that reflects on conceptions that until now were considered acts of nature that lacked a reason.

Socrates introduced philosophy and reflection into the homes of Greece, generating new perspectives on the notions of everyday life, of virtues and vices, of good and evil, in those interested.

He introduced the philosophical treatment of all possible questions, since for him, no aspect of life was unimportant.

An objective look at social conceptions

According to Plato's dialogues, in which Socrates is the main speaker, he is shown to be skeptical of almost any topic presented.

The Greek philosopher promoted the search for an objective look at social concepts, such as justice and power, which by then were taken for granted or understood by the common citizen.

Socrates, unlike his predecessors, focused on scientific issues, began to address for the first time the problem of ethics in different human practices, as well as the correctness or incorrectness of their actions in certain situations.

Dialogue and argumentation

Socrates focused on discussion and debate as the main form of exposition of ideas. In front of those who doubted his abilities, he presented himself as ignorant of certain topics, considering that only through discussion could he enrich knowledge.

For the philosopher, the exposition of argued ideas was the result of examination and deep reflection on a topic.

All the philosophical currents and positions that have emerged since then continue to present their ideas in a sustained manner, revealing the analytical and not just contemplative character of philosophy.

Socrates is credited with managing general definitions on certain topics and using the inductive argument to ensure the effective exchange of ideas.

Application of maieutics

Mayeutics is a technique whose origin dates back to a form of help during childbirth. Socrates took this idea and transferred it to the philosophical realm.

With the implementation of this technique during a discussion, Socrates allowed his interlocutor or student to generate the knowledge he was looking for through constant questioning about all aspects of the same topic.

In this way, Socrates played the role of birth attendant, allowing the answers that his student was seeking to be glimpsed before his own questions. The objective of the philosopher with this technique was to illuminate the soul through knowledge.

Socratic irony and dialectics

Socrates believed that through the authentic search for knowledge one was able to perceive the true essence of a man.

Known for having an ironic character, Socrates used to his advantage these modes of expression to expose false pretenses or bad intentions of other men who sought to discredit him.

Socrates believed that enlightenment could be available to all men, but only as a result of hard effort and dedication.

With these qualities, he promoted skeptical positions before any postulate or idea that did not undergo an exhaustive participatory examination.

First perceptions of beauty

Socrates had a fairly strong position in the face of expressions of beauty around him. He considered beauty as an "ephemeral tyranny" given its evocative and temporary character.

He thought that beautiful things did nothing but generate irrational expectations in man, which could lead him to make negative decisions, which generated violence.

This position in the face of beauty would be a legacy that Plato would continue to explore, in the face of the forms of artistic expression that began to emerge in Ancient Greece as manifestations of beauty.

Continuity through teaching

The simple fact that Socrates has not left any written work, and that all his ideas and proposals have become known through the works of his disciples and students, who were also in charge of sketching a portrait of the wise philosopher, highlights the role that Socrates played in society and in his search for knowledge.

He never considered himself a teacher, rather he liked to see himself as a shaker of consciences. In some texts he is presented as a man who shared and discussed with all those interested; in others they emphasize that he charged for this practice, although his notion of philosophy was not that of a trade.

From these first perceptions promoted by Socrates, other philosophers, such as Antisthenes (Cynical school of philosophy), Aristippus (Cyrenaic philosophy), Epictetus and Plato began to shape their own reflections, translate them into works and undertake the continuous development of the philosophy to the present.

References

1. McKirahan, RD (2010). Philosophy Before Socrates. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing.
2. Onfray, M. (2005). Antimanual of philosophy. Madrid: EDAF.
3. Osborne, R., & Edney, R. (2005). Philosophy for beginners. Buenos Aires: It was Nascent.
4. Popper, K. (2001). The knowledge of ignorance. Polis.
5. Taylor, CC (1997). From the Beginning to Plato. London: Routledge.
6. Vlastos, G. (1971). The Philosophy of Socrates. New York: Anchor Books.