Socrates

(470–399 B.C.). Socrates is credited with being the father of philosophy because he taught that the individual must begin by first examining himself. He challenged many assumptions and insisted on defining terms at the beginning of a debate in order to maintain a disciplined discussion. His unorthodox approach and his reason appealed to many youth, which upset many of their parents because they felt Socrates was undermining their sons’ faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires... more in the gods. His doom was fixed when an aristocratic revolt failed and he was accused of being its intellectual inspiration. He chose suicide over escape through bribery or execution by his accusers. [ read more ]