We know for sure that Socrates existed because his trial and philosophical doctrines are reported by multiple sources. The historian Xenophon (430-350 BC) wrote a chronicle of the criminal trial against Socrates, and so did Plato (427-347 BC). In addition, Xenophon wrote “Memorabilia,” which retells details and anecdotes of Socrates’ life. If we put those…

“When a man takes a position that he believes to be right,” said Socrates, “or has been placed there by his commander, he must remain in his post without fear of death.” This is a quote from Plato’s “Apology,” section 29a, and summarises Socrates’ philosophy of life. We must first make correct, virtuous decisions, and…

For those who want to ruin their lives, Socrates constitutes a model to imitate. All they need to do is to make enemy after enemy, irritate lots of powerful people, and when retaliation comes, they can stay immobile like sitting ducks, waiting for a death sentence, instead of seizing the opportunity to escape. If Socrates…

If Socrates delineated a feasible path to happiness, millions of people would be interested in applying his doctrines, but in spite of his extraordinary reputation as a thinker, his advice about happiness is only lightly presented in philosophy books. I do not think that it is asking too much from thinkers to provide solid evidence…

Before analysing Socrates’ quotes about life and happiness, it is fair to ask whether Socrates’ life is worth imitating? Did he achieve happiness, prosperity and good health? Should we pay attention to his advice in order to improve our lives today? History books tend to answer those questions positively. In their narration of history and…

Philosophers only have one product to sell: happiness; but it can take many different shapes, namely, individual happiness, social happiness, material prosperity and so forth. Socrates was not an exception, although he rarely used the word “happiness” in his debates. Plato (427-347 BC) succeeded Socrates (469-399 BC) by a generation, and recorded in his works…