Hi there,
What’s the Story?
This week, our podcast episode – How Socrates can Change Your Life and the article below dive into the genius of SOCRATES, where we explore how his wisdom can help us improve our lives.
__________________
Socrates: The Man Who Taught the World to Think
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 32 seconds
Socrates didn’t write books. He didn’t start a school. He didn’t build a legacy the way most great thinkers do.
Instead, he walked the streets of Athens, asking questions that made people uncomfortable. He challenged the powerful, exposed contradictions, and forced people to think more deeply than they ever had before.
For this, he was admired. Feared. And ultimately sentenced to death.
But his ideas? They didn’t die. They reshaped philosophy, education, law, and leadership for centuries to come.
His life is more than ancient history—it’s a masterclass in how to think critically, challenge bad ideas, and sharpen your mind.
A Turbulent Time: The Athens That Made Him
To understand Socrates, you have to understand Athens.
In the 5th century BCE, Athens was booming. It had just triumphed in the Persian Wars, giving birth to a golden age of democracy, philosophy, and art. This was the Athens of Pericles, the Parthenon, and legendary playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides.
But power never lasts forever.
Soon, Athens was locked in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta—a brutal conflict that drained the city’s resources and shattered its dominance. Chaos followed. Democracy collapsed. A group known as the Thirty Tyrants took control, executing political enemies and ruling with an iron fist.
When democracy returned, it was fragile. The people were paranoid, desperate for stability—and quick to turn on anyone who questioned authority.
Socrates, of course, questioned everything.
The Man Who Wouldn’t Stop Asking Questions
Born around 470 BCE, Socrates was the son of a stonemason and a midwife. He never sought wealth, fame, or political power. What he wanted was truth.
He became famous (and infamous) for his relentless questioning—a method now known as Socratic questioning.
Instead of making grand claims, he would ask:
- What do you mean by that?
- How do you know that’s true?
- What evidence supports that belief?
His goal wasn’t to win arguments—it was to expose flaws in thinking.
And that made a lot of people uncomfortable.
At a time when rhetoric—the art of persuasion—was prized above truth, Socrates wasn’t interested in persuasion. He wanted clarity, logic, and self-examination. He challenged the Sophists (the “influencers” of the time) and exposed how easily people could be manipulated.
His persistence made him famous. It also made him dangerous.
Why Athens Turned Against Him
By 399 BCE, Socrates had too many enemies.
He was accused of two crimes:
- Impiety—not believing in the city’s gods.
- Corrupting the youth—teaching young people to question authority.
In reality, Socrates was guilty of neither. He wasn’t anti-religion—he simply challenged how people thought about the gods. And he didn’t corrupt the youth—he encouraged them to think for themselves.
But Athens was looking for a scapegoat. And Socrates made it easy for them.
At his trial, instead of pleading for his life, he doubled down on his beliefs.
He told the jury:
“I would rather die than stop questioning.”
The jury didn’t appreciate his defiance. They sentenced him to death. He could have escaped—his followers even arranged it. But he refused. He believed that respecting the laws of his city, even when they were unjust, was more important than his own life.
So he drank a cup of poisoned hemlock and died as he had lived—with absolute conviction.
The Power of Socratic Questioning
Socrates’ greatest tool wasn’t a sword, a book, or even a speech. It was a question.
His method—Socratic questioning—is still used today in psychology, law, and critical thinking. It forces people to:
- Clarify concepts – What do you mean by that?
- Challenge assumptions – Is that always true?
- Examine evidence – What proof do you have?
- Explore alternatives – What are other possible explanations?
- Test for consistency – Does this belief align with your other values?
The result? Stronger reasoning, sharper thinking, and fewer blind spots.
Five Lessons from Socrates That Still Apply Today
1 Admit What You Don’t Know
Socrates famously said, “All I know is that I know nothing.” True wisdom comes from recognizing your ignorance.
2 Ask Better Questions
Instead of assuming you’re right, ask:
- What would change my mind?
- What’s the strongest argument against my belief?
3 Challenge Popular Opinions
Just because “everyone” believes something doesn’t make it true. Think for yourself.
4 Prioritize Virtue Over Success
Socrates didn’t chase power, wealth, or fame. He valued truth, integrity, and wisdom above all else.
5 Live an Examined Life
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
To Socrates, self-reflection was the key to growth. If you don’t question your beliefs, how will you ever improve?
To dive deeper into this, check out this week’s podcast episode on how Socrates can change your life.
____________________
The Brain Prompt – The Socratic Challenge
Before you leave, try this:
Pick a belief you’ve held for years. Then ask yourself:
- Why do I believe this?
- What if I’m wrong?
- What evidence supports or contradicts it?
- What would make me change my mind?
That’s how Socrates would challenge you.
And that’s where real wisdom begins
For more actionable insights on persuasion, influence, and psychology, subscribe to Inner Propaganda.
Cheers,
Owen.
