American Ideals 17. Socrates, Part 2

Abstract

The business of the soul is to try to grapple with the central moral truths and how mankind must live the good life. Socratic concepts would ultimately also influence Jewish and Christian thinking about the immortality of the soul. The danger to society in the concept of the individualization and personalization of the soul is discussed. Socratic thinking becomes the basis for critical moral thinking. Socratic critical morality is rooted in self examination and a questioning discourse with others (the Socratic method). Important knowledge must be a personal achievement through self criticism. A search for truth is a search for self-knowledge.