The Life And Philosophy Of Socrates

The Socrates Project

What you'll learn

Develop a thorough understanding of Socrates' philosophy

Learn about Socrates' personality, life, and career

Articulate the main philosophical claims he makes

Articulate the distinct philosophical method Socrates is famous for

Engage with major critiques of Socrates’ ideas and legacy

Discover what makes Socrates a cornerstone of Western thought

Extract lessons of personal relevance from your study of Socrates

Get valuable tools and pointers to continue your philosophical journey on your own

Requirements

No prior knowledge of philosophy is required — everything you need will be taught step by step.

Description

Socrates didn’t write anything down. But others did. To understand the historical Socrates, we rely on the testimonies of those who knew him — or claimed to. In this course, you’ll encounter Socrates through four key witnesses: Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, and Aristotle. Each offers a distinct perspective, from comic caricature to philosophical reverence.You’ll explore how Socrates became a symbol of intellectual integrity and moral inquiry, and why his life and trial continue to challenge us. Core readings include Aristophanes’ Clouds, Xenophon’s Apology, and Plato’s Apology, Euthyphro, and Laches, alongside selections from Aristotle’s reflections on Socratic ethics and method.This course is immersive. You’ll step into the streets of Ancient Athens — its bustling agora, its political tensions, its military battles, its intellectual ferment — and see how Socrates’ relentless questioning unsettled and inspired his contemporaries. Through discussion, close reading, and philosophical dialogue, you’ll bring these texts to life and engage with timeless questions about virtue, justice, and what constitutes the good life.It’s an ideal entry into philosophy. You’ll gain the tools to continue your philosophical journey independently — to ask better questions, examine your own beliefs, and pursue wisdom beyond the classroom. It’s also a launch pad into the philosophy of Plato, whose thought was profoundly shaped by Socrates’ life and method.No prior experience in philosophy is required. Just bring your curiosity — and be ready to question boldly.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Welcome to the Socrates Project!

Lecture 2 About This Course

Section 2: Setting the Scene

Lecture 3 Fifth-century Athens (article)

Lecture 4 Athens in Times of War (article)

Lecture 5 Pericles & the Golden Age of Athens (article)

Lecture 6 Athens' Descent into Political Turmoil (article)

Lecture 7 Athenian Education in the Classical Period (article)

Lecture 8 Traditional Gods, Religion & Piety in Athens

Lecture 9 Natural Philosophers (article)

Lecture 10 The Sophists (article)

Lecture 11 Love & Eros in Ancient Athens (article)

Section 3: Starting the Search for the Real, Historical Socrates

Lecture 12 Timeline (article, presentation)

Lecture 13 Defining the Socratic Problem (video)

Lecture 14 Defining the Socratic Problem (article)

Section 4: Primary Witness #1: Aristophanes

Lecture 15 Aristophanes: Introduction

Lecture 16 Aristophanes: the Playwright (video)

Lecture 17 Aristophanes: the Playwright (article)

Lecture 18 Aristophanes: the Clouds (video)

Lecture 19 Aristophanes: the Clouds (article)

Lecture 20 READING ASSIGNMENT: Aristophanes' Clouds

Lecture 21 Aristophanes: Portrayal of Socrates in Clouds (video)

Lecture 22 Aristophanes: Portrayal of Socrates in Clouds (article)

Lecture 23 Aristophanes: Entertainment & Social Critique in Clouds (video)

Lecture 24 Aristophanes: Entertainment & Social Critique in Clouds (article)

Lecture 25 Aristophanes: Unpicking Clouds (video)

Lecture 26 Aristophanes: Unpicking Clouds (article)

Lecture 27 Aristophanes: Final Thoughts (video)

Lecture 28 Aristophanes: Final Thoughts (article)

Lecture 29 Overview #1

Section 5: Primary Witness #2: Xenophon

Lecture 30 Xenophon: the Citizen-Soldier (video)

Lecture 31 Xenophon: the Citizen-Soldier (article)

Lecture 32 Xenophon: Apology (video)

Lecture 33 Xenophon: Apology (article)

Lecture 34 READING ASSIGNMENT: Xenophon's Apology

Lecture 35 Xenophon: Education (video)

Lecture 36 Xenophon: Education (article)

Lecture 37 Xenophon: Self-Control (video)

Lecture 38 Xenophon: Self-Control (article)

Lecture 39 Xenophon: Incontinence (video)

Lecture 40 Xenophon: Incontinence (article)

Lecture 41 Xenophon: Divination (video)

Lecture 42 Xenophon: Divination - Part 1 (article)

Lecture 43 Xenophon: Divination - Part 2 (article)

Lecture 44 Xenophon: Roundup (article)

Lecture 45 Overview #2

Section 6: Primary Witness #3: Plato

Lecture 46 Plato: the Philosopher (article)

Lecture 47 Plato: A First Stab at His Early (Socratic) Dialogues

Lecture 48 "The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living" (video)

Lecture 49 "The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living" (article)

Lecture 50 READING ASSIGNMENT: Plato's Apology

Lecture 51 Human Excellence & the Good Life (video)

Lecture 52 Human Excellence & the Good Life (article)

Lecture 53 "Virtue is Knowledge" (video)

Lecture 54 "Virtue is Knowledge" (article)

Lecture 55 "No One Errs Willingly" (video)

Lecture 56 "No One Errs Willingly" (article)

Lecture 57 The Unity of Virtues (video)

Lecture 58 The Unity of Virtues (article)

Lecture 59 Harming & Getting Harmed (video)

Lecture 60 Harming & Getting Harmed (article)

Lecture 61 Elenchus: Socrates' philosophical method (video)

Lecture 62 Elenchus: Socrates' philosophical method (article)

Lecture 63 Socrates' Midwifery (video)

Lecture 64 Socrates' Midwifery (article)

Lecture 65 Socrates' Anti-Dogmatism (video)

Lecture 66 Socrates' Anti-Dogmatism (article)

Lecture 67 READING ASSIGNMENT: Plato's Euthyphro

Lecture 68 Overview #3

Lecture 69 AI SEARCH ASSIGNMENT: Socrates' Acts of Bravery

Section 7: Drawing the Line Between Plato's Two Socrateses

Lecture 70 Plato's Dialogues From the Early Period: Key Characteristics (article)

Lecture 71 Reading Plato: Two Interpretive Models (article)

Lecture 72 Plato's Dialogues from the Early, Middle, and Late Period (article)

Lecture 73 Vlastos: The 'Socratic' Socrates vs the 'Platonic' Socrates (article)

Lecture 74 Distinguishing the Two Socrateses: A Quick Guide (article)

Section 8: The Young and the Virtuous: Three Early Platonic Dialogues

Lecture 75 READING ASSIGNMENT: Plato's Laches - On Courage

Lecture 76 READING ASSIGNMENT: Plato's Lysis - On Friendship

Lecture 77 READING ASSIGNMENT: Plato's Charmides - On Temperance

Section 9: Secondary Witness: Aristotle

Lecture 78 Aristotle's Endorsement of Plato's Testimony (article)

Lecture 79 Aristotle's Endorsement of Plato's Testimony (video)

Section 10: Socratic Problem Revisited

Lecture 80 'The Blind Men and the Elephant': a Hindoo Fable (video)

Lecture 81 'The Blind Men and the Elephant': a Hindoo Fable (article)

Lecture 82 Reconsidering the Socratic Problem (video)

Lecture 83 Reconsidering the Socratic Problem (article)

Lecture 84 FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Drawing life lessons

Section 11: Closing

Lecture 85 Used Literature & Image Credits

Lecture 86 More on Socrates: Recommended Books & Online Resources

Lecture 87 More on Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato, Aristotle & Hellenistic Schools

Lecture 88 Resources for Independent Exploration

Lecture 89 Thank you & Goodbye!

Philosophy enthusiasts wishing to engage with the ancient Greeks in a casual manner. You might have read popular philosophy books, watched online lectures, or followed philosophy blogs without a formal background.,Life-long learners wishing to study philosophy out of intellectual curiosity and a love for learning. You might be fascinated by fundamental questions about existence, ethics, or knowledge.,Self-improvers and personal growth seekers viewing philosophy as a tool for self-improvement, emotional resilience, or personal enlightenment. You might be interested in how philosophical ideas, like Stoicism or Existentialism, can help them deal with life’s challenges, make better decisions, or find meaning.,Professional skill enhancers considering philosophical thinking as a way to enhance professional capabilities, whether it’s through better reasoning, problem-solving, or leadership.,Self-therapists seeking in a practical tool-box for dealing with life's problems and looking for ways of resolving personal or emotional challenges.