Socrates (ca. 469-399 B.C.)
The great Greek philosopher, who was born and died at Athens. He used to call himself "the midwife of men's thoughts," and out of his intellectual school sprang those of Plato and the Dialectic system, Euclid and the Megaric, Aristippus and the Cyrenaic, Antisthenes and the Cynic. Cicero said of him that "he brought down philosophy from the heavens to earth." He was condemned to death for the corruption of youth by introducing new gods (thus being guilty of impiety) and drank hemlock in prison, surrounded by his disciples. Socrates is caricatured in Aristophanes' comedy The Clouds.
Socratic irony
Leading on your opponent in an argument by simulating ignorance, so that he "ties himself in knots" and eventually falls an easy prey--a form of procedure used with great effect by Socrates.
the Socratic method
The method of conducting an argument, imparting information, etc., by means of question and answer.
the English Socrates
Dr. Samuel Johnson, so called by Boswell.
No comments:
Post a Comment