Armand D'Angour, professor of classics at Oxford University, discusses Socrates and his life. Topics include Socrates' relationships with Pericles and Aspasia, his love for Alcibiades, and the reasons behind his execution.
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Quick takeaways
Socrates' relationship with Aspasia, an influential woman, greatly influenced his thinking and philosophy.
Aspasia, through her sophisticated approach, challenged Socrates' usual method of questioning and seeking wisdom.
Socrates' close connections with Pericles and Alcibiades highlight a complex web of relationships that shaped his life and circumstances.
Deep dives
The Relevance of Socrates
Socrates is a fundamental figure in Western philosophy and is known for his life and death, as well as the Socratic method. However, there is much more to Socrates than these facts. He is an interesting and important figure in the history of philosophy, and there is a lot of information about him that people are not aware of.
Interpreting the Textual Evidence
The textual evidence about Socrates, primarily from Plato's dialogues, Xenophon's dialogues, and Aristophanes' portrayal, present different perspectives and interpretations of Socrates. It is important to recognize that Plato's dialogues are not a literal biography of Socrates, but rather constructions that may reflect Socrates' ideas. Additionally, there are other sources and evidence that are often overlooked, which can provide a different understanding of who Socrates was.
The Relationship Between Socrates and Aspasia
Socrates had a close relationship with Aspasia, a clever and influential woman in Athens. Aspasia was part of Pericles' circle and served as a mentor and tutor to the young Aspasia. Socrates was enamored by Aspasia, but their relationship went beyond romance. Aspasia's influence on Socrates shaped his thinking and philosophy. Their relationship provides an interesting perspective on Socrates' personal life and the connections he had with influential individuals in Athens.
The Influence of Aspasia on Socrates
Aspasia, a prominent figure in Athenian society and the partner of Pericles, had a significant influence on Socrates. Socrates considered Aspasia a clever and knowledgeable woman, from whom he learned about the art of love and philosophy. He credits her with teaching him the truth about love, a departure from his usual approach of seeking knowledge through questioning. Aspasia's expertise, presented in a sophisticated manner resembling that of a sophist, challenged Socrates' own philosophy of constantly questioning and seeking wisdom. While Socrates and Aspasia had differing approaches, her influence on him cannot be undermined.
Socrates' Relationship with Pericles and Alcibiades
Socrates had a close relationship with both Pericles, the prominent Athenian statesman, and Alcibiades, Pericles' ward. Socrates was associated with the influential Alcmaeonid clan, from which Pericles also hailed. Socrates' connection with Pericles allowed him access to the highest political circles in Athens. However, tensions emerged between Socrates and Pericles due to Pericles' relationship with Aspasia, who was Socrates' former lover. Additionally, Socrates' close bond with Alcibiades, who was Pericles' ward and a young military figure, further complicated his relationships within this influential circle. This complex web of relationships sheds light on a different side of Socrates' life and circumstances.
In this episode, I speak about Socrates with Armand D'Angour, professor of classics at Oxford University. He is the translator of How to Innovate: An Ancient Guide to Creative Thinking (2021) and the author of Socrates in Love: The Making of a Philosopher (2020), among other works.
Thank you for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life. This post is public so feel free to share it.
Highlights
* Why should we care about Socrates today?
* How reliable are our sources regarding Socrates?
* What was Socrates like as a young man?
* How do you imagine his relationship with Pericles and Aspasia?
