Socrates and Plato: Little Realized Facts

Everyone is quick to call Socrates and Plato the greats of Greek philosophy, and understandably so. Through the surviving text of Plato, the next few thousand years of philosophy have been grounded (Aristotle, as well)! What people overlook, however, are major facts associated with the thinkers.

1. Socrates did not write anything, or at least nothing we have.

The history and philosophy we have of Socrates mostly comes from the writing of Plato. In fact, most of Plato’s dialogues focus on the narrator of Socrates. It is debated how much of the writing is historically accurate and how much is actually a creation of Plato.

2. Plato’s writings are divided into different groups.

Within these three groups (Early, Middle and Late dialogues), the influence of Socrates philosophy lessens in relation to Plato’s own thought. So when talking about something Socrates said or thought, it may actually be Plato. Every time you quote Socrates, you are actually quoting Plato! The Early dialogues commonly focus on a more Socratic Socrates, but the later become almost, if not, entirely Plato’s own thought. The theory of forms is attributed to Plato, and the major divide appears to be in the Phaedo.

3. Greek philosophers were heavily influenced by Pythagoreanism.

Most people have heard of Pythagoras, via a geometry lesson on the Pythagorean Theorem. In reality, Pythagoras and his devoted followers originally formed a large portion of the ideas in Plato’s writing. The Pythagoreans came from Italy, and were beginning to have close ties with Athens at the time of Socrates/Plato. It is important to also note a rising in Orphic traditions. Orphic relates (in a very basic sense) to a worship of Orpheus. Aristotle admits that much of Plato’s influence came from Pythagoreanism.

4. Socrates’ last words are still not understood.

Sounds crazy, right? While there are plenty of theories to what “Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius; make this offering to him and do not forget” (118a) means, there has been no definite answer. There is the problem with whether or not those were even Socrates’ last words or a literary creation Plato used to enhance a point within his work. This is an ongoing debate, and will most likely continue indefinitely.

5. We lost a lot of Plato’s work.

On top of that, some of it we aren’t sure was written by him. Those are the main problems with antiquity. The burning of the library of Alexandria claimed many works that would be priceless and beautiful today. On top of that, some works can only be generally associated with the philosopher. Authenticity is a major problem when it comes to Greek philosophy!

6. The Sophists were the enemy.

In the dialogues, Socrates is seen questioning people who claim to know. These are people who charge money to teach pupils. This is what Socrates’ protests, as he gives open discussion, just as Plato’s academy would later offer.

Socrates spoke out against the leaders of Athens, and quite frequently. Socrates questioned everybody. In the end, in the Phaedo, he did not question the democracy or government he was in. He agreed to death just as in the Crito. The Laws of Athens, as a character, demanded the fairness of following laws he had reaped benefit from. Socrates, in Plato’s writing, accepts this fate. It is for this reason any ancient philosopher gets angry when people sum Socrates up as a man causing havoc in the streets or as an anarchist!

I have a few offerings on what to read to better acquaint yourself with the philosophers. These are the texts I've personally purchased and use in all of my work on the subject. Remember, because they are translations, it is important to choose wisely! Listed below are my preferences: