Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek thinker whose work proves a major turning point in Western Philosophy. He invented a method of teaching by asking questions, which was called the Socratic method. This method searched for definitions and turned Philosophy from the study of how things are to a consideration of the health of the human soul. Much of this work was brought out by his student, Plato. Socrates was born in Athens, Greece and lived …

…and confusion over the type of question involved. Because of Socrates, Philosophers turned from an interest in scientific explanations of the world to a search for a kind of knowledge that would help the soul continue to grow. He is a model of what a rational Philosopher should be. He holds a place in history as the first notable martyr for Philosophy, a man who would not give up his principles to save his life.