Discovering the Philosopher: Top 9 Fun Facts About Socrates You Never Knew

1. Love Beyond the Stratosphere

Talk about "Love is in the Air": Apparently, for Socrates, it soared way beyond the stratosphere! This ancient philosopher had a passion for the metaphysical Love of Beauty: a divine love unblemished by the physical world and untainted by mere human flesh. No wonder he couldn't keep his hands off it!
Source => vlhval.wordpress.com

2. Sockless Socrates? Think Again!

Sockless in the city? Not our man Socrates!: In reality, the renowned philosopher strutted around Athens rocking "podea," an ancient Greek version of sandals, as noted in Xenophon's Memorabilia – a collection of conversations and teachings that prove he was well-heeled, even if not financially loaded.
Source => concept.journals.villanova.edu

Did you know Plato's nickname "Platon" might be because of his broad shoulders or eloquent speaking? Discover the intriguing origins of this legendary philosopher's name!

=> Fun Facts about Plato

3. Socrates: Unofficial "Jeopardy!" Interrogator

Socrates: the Bearded Sensei who could've moonlighted as a stellar interrogator for "Jeopardy!" – although he never jotted down any of his thoughts, the man's philosophy and iconic Socratic method of incessant questioning were immortalized by his quick-quilled pupils like Plato, helping shape the Western philosophy we know and love today.
Source => blogs.ubc.ca

4. Ignorance = Genius?

They say ignorance is bliss, but for this ancient thinker, it was pure genius: Socrates firmly believed that true wisdom could be found in acknowledging one's own ignorance, famously declaring, "I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing."
Source => fool.com

5. Socrates' Paternity Mystery

Who's your daddy, Socrates? The ancient world's own Jerry Springer saga: Contrary to popular belief, there isn't much evidence to support that Socrates' father, Sophroniscus, was a stonemason or sculptor. Scholars like Thomas Brickhouse and Nicholas D. Smith have cast doubt on this long-held tradition, leaving us with more philosophical mysteries than answers about Socrates' true paternal origins.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. A True Party Pooper

Socrates, the original party pooper: Despite his disdain for democracy, Socrates wasn't critiquing Athenian democracy for letting underqualified folks make decisions; rather, he believed that a highly educated ruling class should hold power, instead of the masses.
Source => bigthink.com

7. Midwife for the Mind

Socrates, the ancient philosopher who moonlighted as a midwife for the mind, delivered some brain-children from the labor pangs of ignorance: Known for his Socratic method, this think-ologist taught his students the art of questioning and critical thinking with witty analogies and tantalizing mind-puzzles, encouraging them to rethink their beliefs and seek deeper understanding – a legacy that, like a good punchline, still tickles the intellect of the wisdom-hungry till this day.
Source => classics.mit.edu

8. Ancient Athens' Pest Control Expert

Socrates: pest control expert of ancient Athens! You see, he considered himself a divine "gadfly" sent to buzz around and annoy the prestigious "noble steed" of Athenian society: In reality, this quirky philosopher believed it was his sacred duty to keep Athenians on their toes by constantly awakening, persuading, and reproaching them - a pesky mission from the gods that even led to his untimely execution!
Source => oll.libertyfund.org

9. Socrates' Snarky Snook at Death

Cocking a final snook at death itself: Socrates' last words were a request for his friend Crito to make an offering of a rooster to the god Asklepios, symbolizing rebirth and highlighting the philosopher's admiration for the physician-god's ideals of empathy, selflessness, and public health advocacy over the traditional warlike Greek gods.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov