Perennial Lives
The Perennial Lives series explores “How to Live: From Socrates to Nietzsche.” Each edition introduces the life and philosophy of one perennial figure. It’s designed to help you (and me) keep learning how to live!
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The Life and Philosophy of Socrates
Although Socrates never wrote anything down. “Socrates was probably the second most important and influential human being who ever lived, next to Jesus,” writes Peter Kreeft in Socrates’ Children.
According to Kreeft,
The foundation of most Western philosophy (and science) is Aristotle. He is to the West what Confucius is to China. As later generations called Confucius simply ‘the first teacher,’ the medievals called Aristotle simply ‘the Philosopher.’ The foundation of Aristotle is Plato.
Aristotle was the first footnote to Plato. Without Plato, no Aristotle. And without Socrates, no Plato. Socrates was the first man to be renowned as a philosopher. He was born in Athens around 469 B.C., and “although he grew up in a golden age in a great city,” writes James Miller in Examined Lives, “the ancient sources agree that there was nothing glittering about his pedigree or upbringing. He was the son of Sophroniscus, a stonemason, and Phaenarete, a midwife.” […]
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Thank you for watching; I hope you found something useful for daily life.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W.
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