Socrates

Socrates was one of the greatest philosophers of antiquity, living in Athens. He left no written works — his ideas have come down to us through his students, primarily Plato and Xenophon.

Socrates developed the method of maieutics ('midwifery') — the art of helping his interlocutor 'give birth' to truth through leading questions. He believed that true knowledge is already within a person; one only needs to help them realize it.

The philosopher was accused of corrupting youth and impiety, sentenced to death, and drank poison hemlock, refusing to flee Athens.