Socrates' Four Basic Principles of Philosophy

Philosophy is literally defined as the love of wisdom. It is the systematic critical examination of the way in which we judge, evaluate, and act, with the aim of making ourselves wiser, more self-reflective, and therefore better men and women. The Socratic Method is a technique of probing questions, developed by Socrates, for the purpose of prodding, pushing, and provoking unreflective people into realizing their lack of rational understanding of their own principles of thought and action, so that they can set out on the path to philosophical wisdom. As used by Socrates, this method was a powerful weapon for deflating inflated egos. We make hundreds of decisions on a daily basis from little decisions such as what to eat for lunch to life changing decisions like what career path to follow. Socrates believed that these decisions must be questioned, examined, and criticized if we are to live truly good and happy lives. Most of us make even the important decisions without really asking ourselves what principles we are basing our choices on, and whether those principles are worthy of our respect and commitment. Socrates had a theory about how each of us ought to examine his or her life, subjecting it to critical analysis and questioning. This theory, on which he based the special style of teaching and philosophizing that has come to bear his name, rested on four basic principles.

1) The unexamined life is not worth living. In other words, it is undignified, not really honorable, simply to live from day to day without ever asking oneself "What am I doing here? Why am I living as I am?" To be truly and completely human, Socrates thought, each man and woman must subject his or her life and convictions to the test of critical self-examination. What is more, my means of this process of self-examination, one can achieve genuine happiness.

2) There really are valid principles of thought and action that must be followed if we are to live good lives - if we are to be, at the same time, genuinely happy and genuinely good. These principles are objective - they are true for all men and women, whenever and wherever they may live. Some people are unjust, self-indulgent, obsessed with worthless goals, estranged from their fellow men and women, confused and blind about what is truly important. These people do not know that certain things are beneath notice, unimportant. They are terrified of shadows, incapable of living or dying with grace. Such people need to find the truth and live in accordance with it.

3) The truth lies within each of us, not in the stars, nor in tradition, or in religious books, or in the opinions of the masses. Each of us has within, however hidden, the true principles of thinking and acting. In the end, therefore, no one can teach anyone else the truth about life. If that truth were not within you, you would never find it; but it is within you, and only relentless critical self-examination will reveal it to you.

4) Although no one can teach anyone else about the fundamental principles of right action and clear thinking, some people-call them teachers, philosophers, godforsaken ask questions that prod men and women to begin the task of . These teachers may also be able to guide the process, at least in its early stages, because they have been over the same ground themselves and know where the pitfalls are.