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He was the first of the three great Greek philosophers who laid the foundations of Western thought (the other two being Plato and Aristotle). Socrates was born in Athens around 470 BC and, according to the Roman Cicero, “brought philosophy down from heaven to earth”. In other words, he led the transition from the thought of the ancient Greek cosmologists, who lived reflecting on the origin of the universe, to greater concerns with ethics and human existence, adopting the famous motto: “Know thyself”. The philosopher left nothing written for posterity and almost everything that is known about his ideas and personality comes from the works of Plato, his main disciple, and the book Memorabilia, by the classical Greek historian Xenophon. The problem is that these two authors were about 40 years younger than Socrates and only witnessed the last decade of the philosopher’s life. “His activity consisted of debating philosophical themes, mainly moral notions and concepts.
At a time when the first knowledge professionals appeared, who were paid for their teachings (so-called sophists), Socrates discussed freely with all interested parties, without demanding any payment”, says philosopher Marco Antônio de Ávila Zingano, from the University of São Paulo (USP). Experts believe that he was married, had three children and that, in addition to enjoying the clash of ideas, he also enjoyed real battles, so much so that he served as an infantry soldier in the Peloponnesian War – conflict between the cities of Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BC Despite being described by Plato as “the most just and honorable man of his time”, Socrates was eventually indicted in 399 BC for “impiety”, that is, heresy. The complaint, probably based on a healthy dose of jealousy and intellectual envy, included two charges: «neglecting to worship the gods worshiped by the city» and «corrupting the youth».
The philosopher was eventually condemned to commit suicide by drinking a mixture with the poisonous hemlock herb. A way to avoid execution was even suggested, but Socrates refused, claiming that the sentence, although unjust, had been pronounced by a legitimate court and thus should be fulfilled – which happened in Athens that same year, 399 BC
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