Donald Robertson

So we could say what's influencing them is the character of Socrates that was passed down by other writers. And there's a big question mark about how closely does that correlate to the real guy? We'll never know.

So we could say what's influencing them is the character of Socrates that was passed down by other writers. And there's a big question mark about how closely does that correlate to the real guy? We'll never know.

Well, the ancient answer to that question is that he wasn't the first philosopher. He wasn't even the first philosopher at Athens. But they used to say that he was the first philosopher that brought philosophy really down to earth and applied it to everyday matters, kind of almost making it into a psychotherapy, basically. He would talk to people about the nature of love.

Well, the ancient answer to that question is that he wasn't the first philosopher. He wasn't even the first philosopher at Athens. But they used to say that he was the first philosopher that brought philosophy really down to earth and applied it to everyday matters, kind of almost making it into a psychotherapy, basically. He would talk to people about the nature of love.

Well, the ancient answer to that question is that he wasn't the first philosopher. He wasn't even the first philosopher at Athens. But they used to say that he was the first philosopher that brought philosophy really down to earth and applied it to everyday matters, kind of almost making it into a psychotherapy, basically. He would talk to people about the nature of love.

He would talk to generals in the military about the nature of courage. He would talk to priests about the nature of piety. He talked to his friends about the anger. The most kind of homely dialogue that we have is in Xenophon. And in it, Socrates has a conversation with his teenage son, Lamprocles, because Lamprocles is really upset about his mum nagging him.

He would talk to generals in the military about the nature of courage. He would talk to priests about the nature of piety. He talked to his friends about the anger. The most kind of homely dialogue that we have is in Xenophon. And in it, Socrates has a conversation with his teenage son, Lamprocles, because Lamprocles is really upset about his mum nagging him.

He would talk to generals in the military about the nature of courage. He would talk to priests about the nature of piety. He talked to his friends about the anger. The most kind of homely dialogue that we have is in Xenophon. And in it, Socrates has a conversation with his teenage son, Lamprocles, because Lamprocles is really upset about his mum nagging him.

And Socrates helps his son to kind of reframe this, overcome his anger towards his mother. So that's probably the most kind of down-to-earth example of a Socratic dialogue that we have. So that's kind of what he was particularly known for doing.

And Socrates helps his son to kind of reframe this, overcome his anger towards his mother. So that's probably the most kind of down-to-earth example of a Socratic dialogue that we have. So that's kind of what he was particularly known for doing.

And Socrates helps his son to kind of reframe this, overcome his anger towards his mother. So that's probably the most kind of down-to-earth example of a Socratic dialogue that we have. So that's kind of what he was particularly known for doing.

But also he took the method of dialectic or philosophical question and answer, turned it into his own trademark method called the Socratic method, and really began to much more radically and thoroughly question the assumptions about morality, mainly, that people around him were making. And that made him a controversial figure, He was like dynamite.

But also he took the method of dialectic or philosophical question and answer, turned it into his own trademark method called the Socratic method, and really began to much more radically and thoroughly question the assumptions about morality, mainly, that people around him were making. And that made him a controversial figure, He was like dynamite.

But also he took the method of dialectic or philosophical question and answer, turned it into his own trademark method called the Socratic method, and really began to much more radically and thoroughly question the assumptions about morality, mainly, that people around him were making. And that made him a controversial figure, He was like dynamite.

Some people were almost addicted to being questioned by Socrates. They found it an incredibly liberating experience. Other people found it embarrassing, humiliating, and they hated him, and they went after him. So it wouldn't be overly simplifying things to say that Socrates asked too many questions, rocked the boat, upset some powerful people, and we all know how that ended for him.

Some people were almost addicted to being questioned by Socrates. They found it an incredibly liberating experience. Other people found it embarrassing, humiliating, and they hated him, and they went after him. So it wouldn't be overly simplifying things to say that Socrates asked too many questions, rocked the boat, upset some powerful people, and we all know how that ended for him.

Some people were almost addicted to being questioned by Socrates. They found it an incredibly liberating experience. Other people found it embarrassing, humiliating, and they hated him, and they went after him. So it wouldn't be overly simplifying things to say that Socrates asked too many questions, rocked the boat, upset some powerful people, and we all know how that ended for him.

He was made to drink hemlock.

He was made to drink hemlock.

He was made to drink hemlock.