After the Sophists, Socrates turned philosophy inward and began to emphasize self-reflection. Rather than simply contemplating the workings of the world, he considered how it is that we attain knowledge about the world. The Pre-Socratics and the Sophists lacked this emphasis on self-examination, which is argued to be the true starting point of philosophy, thereby dooming their investigations to failure (xxiii). Socrates avoided these criticisms by beginning his search for what can be known, “since only that can provide a firm basis for the increase of knowledge” (xxiv). In what follows, I will first argue that Socrates’ philosophy of education is one that should be maintained by all educators. Specifically, I will outline how his admittance of ignorance, his pursuit for self-knowledge, and his use of strategic questioning would benefit any educational framework aimed at promoting 21st century learning. Finally, I will address how living the examined life is beneficial to both the individual as well as the society. …show more content…
It is within this speech that Socrates displays his method for self-examination, that is, a vital instrument in the pursuit of the best possible condition of the soul (34). Socrates defended his passion for the philosophical life. He argued that his role as a philosopher is to question people with regard to their knowledge, and further, to do so in such a way so as to allow them to recognize and accept their own ignorance. By using this approach, Socrates supported both himself and the public in an attempt to transcend ignorance. Hence, when confronted with the option to give up his philosophical life, Socrates maintains that he would be more contented dead then to do so, as it would mean he would have to abandon his self-examined life