Socrates, the Greek philosopher, was well known in the city of Athens for his philosophical ideas and thoughts. He preferred to live a life of simplicity and modesty; wandering around on foot from one place to another to talk to people. He always remained humble and never tried to aggravate those with whom he discussed social and political issues. He would ask questions and involve people into discussions. For example, one day he met a young man and asked him: “Can you tell me where I can buy bread?” The young man told him that there was a shop round the corner of the street where he could get it. Socrates again asked him “Where can I buy some drinks from?” The response of the young man was that there was a shop next to it where he could buy some drinks of his choice. Socrates then asked him: “Young man, where can I buy virtue?” At this question, the young man flabbergasted; failed to reply. Whereupon Socrates told him “Come with me I will tell you about it”. Following this initial conversation, he explained moral values and virtues to the young fellow. That is how he would preach and share knowledge.

Socrates’ focus was on morality and how a society should become virtuous. He did not put his thoughts down in writing but convinced people logically by encouraging them to question. He never accepted any payment for his teaching even from his rich patrons and disciples. He disagreed with sophists who were relativists and did not believe in continuation of traditions; nor judged moral values as a product of time.

Socrates’ argument was that if human nature is well-informed and knowledgeable, it would always have a tendency for virtuous acts. His great contribution was to devote philosophy for the betterment of human society. However, the Athenian society could not tolerate Socrates and his questioning on moral and social issues. They accused him of corrupting the minds of young people and denying the existence of gods. He was condemned to death by majority of the jury. He accepted the verdict with dignity and died peacefully. Ironically, those who accused him have disappeared in the oblivion of history while Socrates exists beyond his death.

On the brink of social decline, we need a Socratic approach to think bigger

In the case of our society, we are presently facing moral degeneration and decline of all virtuous values. As a result, criminal activities have no check. Those capable of using dishonest ways and means; exploit, loot, plunder and ironically earn a high social status in the society. In the absence of moral values, there is no hesitation for fraud or violation of human respect and dignity.

People, who realise that the society is rapidly undergoing a process of decline, believe that society can be salvaged by conquerors like Muhammad Bin Qasim, Mahmood of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghauri. They believe that only conquerors could rescue society from all evils by imitating the past heroes and that by looting and plundering wealth, they will be able to cure the internal decay that they confront. Their desire to have a conqueror materialises again and again through political slogans and fiery speeches of politicians in our text books, to inspire young people to emulate them. The result of this teaching is that if there is no opportunity to conquer other countries and pledge them, they will conquer their own country and subdue their own people as in the case of military dictatorship and also feudal and tribal democracy when leaders appear as conquerors and the people are vanquished.

Sadly, there is no desire for a philosopher like Socrates who would enlighten them intellectually and inspire them to observe moral values in order to make the society peaceful and prosperous. When there is a comparison between conquerors and intellectuals, the preference of the society is the former. Since intellectuals have limited space to play their role, the society is degenerating day by day and rapidly losing its will to survive. If Socrates were to witness our present day situation, he would prefer to drink hemlock and die.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, June 29th, 2014