Abstract

Socrates (469–399 BCE) of Athens was the son of Sophroniscus (father) and Phaenarete (mother), and husband of Xanthippe, with whom he had three sons. Although Socrates never wrote anything, his many years of philosophical discussion established him as the founder of Western moral theory. The main sources for his views are the Clouds by Aristophanes (a parody), the dialogues of Plato, various works by Xenophon and passages in Aristotle; since these sources offer differing perspectives, the task of determining Socrates’ actual views is daunting.