Socrates: The Socratic Problem

In this lecture we investigate what is known as the Socratic problem, which is the problem as to whether we can arrive at knowledge of the historical Socrates, or whether he will always remain nothing but a work of fiction. We also look at the Socrates of Plato's dialogues, and consider the question as to whether Plato was using Socrates as a mouthpiece for his own views, or espousing the actual ideas of the real Socrates.
===================================================

Recommended Readings:

===================================================

[markd.holloman]

I remember my first real Philosophy class in junior college, I was fascinated by the bounty of ideas. Socrates was one of my favorites and I still have that text book to this day. Thank you for this content. Top Notch as always.

[samarthgrover]

these are very balanced, terse and well-researched video essays. kudos to you!

[nhljsom]

I have found your channel to be a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

[MrBeckenhimself]

It's well known that Socrates very rarely shared much of his own ideas. He sure had ideas, but wasn't that bothered with sharing them. What he did was something different.
He challenged the opinions of others. He challenged your position on a subject, and more often than not made you question what you thought your opinion of said subject actually is. That was his A game.
And he aced it like no other.

[nzw]

This channel with so many wonder video also worth many wonderful attention.

[knpstrr]

The ideas attributed to be Socrates' are just as valuable whether we ever know who Socrates was or if he ever existed. I think the question is one that should be studied once one was completely conquered the virtuous life, for that is more important than learning about Socrates the man.

[vigirlioblanco]

You finished that section with the most proper words!! We keep studying the great philosophers, but very few have enough fortitude of conviction to become one; onless it's in towing the line of a degenerated academic system.

[werunthevoid]

I believe in the metaphysical Socrates. I remember crafting spells and his soul indeed survived the death of the body. We were being directed (mastered) by Socrates' daemon (Draggus) all along. It is possible to have access to the soul during life as well, but you gonna go down an entire rabbit hole in order to do that.

[Oleksandr]

Thanks a  lot for a very good lectures.

[kylebhouser]

Plato never said in the quote you provided that he believed in an immortal soul. Rather, he sighted that people he thought intelligent believed in one. From what I can gather, Socrates preferred to question the human existence and how one arrives at a belief (purpose, morality, etc.) whereas Plato questioned belief directly, as in his theory of forms (is all that we see and comprehend really just the shadow of something else?).

[thepiperreport]

The question is why.. Why would Plato use Socrates as a mouthpiece when he himself was already popular and a master?

[thomasedgerley]

What I don't understand is why we don't assume Socrates is but a work of myth. He could just be an allegory of some sort for wise words.

[Jordan-luce]

Diogenes be like "who am I to you"

[michaelnurse]

The whole idea of the 'ownership of ideas' is a pointless discussion to begin with. Even so called original thinkers borrow so heavily on the ideas of others they are all too often just adding a cherry to a cake baked by others.

[ashurbanipul]

Why do you assume that Socrates valued consistency? He said himself that he disliked the written word as a medium. It's too fixed.

[theangelicbeautyofyours]

Now I know the similarities between Buddha, Confucius, Jesus and Socrates.

[indionysus]

Death is not worth living! Morality is the uncovering of life, to which life is covered; though this runs through ideas of what is disdained and becomes ludicrous when you see life is made to be covered, as ideas do not just expel themselves from space. Socrates is lost in the eccentricities in enigmatic ways, a source of spelling knowledge.

[Hrodric]

Krishnamurti says also that knowledge is limited so truth is always new

[korgond]

Can we accept Socrates as a father of Philosophy? Is he the first great philosopher ever known? Is he older than Confucius?

[Crazymexicano]

"I can myself bring nothing to light because there is no wisdom in me"