Socratic lessons in excellence for our postmodern world

Abstract

When precious pieces of Socratic wisdom in action are collected from Plato's Apology and other Platonic Dialogues and are compared with similar findings in the works of Xenophon, especially in his Apology, Symposium and Memorabilia, a clear and coherent picture of Socrates emerges as an ethical teacher of hellenic Aretē (~virtue): he can inspire others to excellence by following his example of living his simple life and facing his tragic death calmly. In this sense, Socrates emerges as something more substantial philosophically than the ironist and skilful practitioner of the Socratic method, as has been presented by many scholars. As an ethical philosopher, the platonic Socrates was very different from Aristotle and John Rawls, and as a Hellenic philosopher in practice, he would appear to be closer to the ancient Indian Gurus than to contemporary analytical philosophers. This aspect of Socratic ethical philosophy is relevant and needed today more than ever before, as it provides an antidote to moral relativism and other sorts of sophistry in the vital processes of transformation and societal change.