Learning from Socrates: Wisdom That Still Questions the World

When I started watching the videos about Socrates from the blog shared by Prof. Dilip Barad, I expected to hear about a famous Greek philosopher with a beard, long robes, and strange ideas. But what I found was something far more meaningful—something that still connects deeply to the world we live in today. Through those short but powerful videos, I felt like I wasn’t just learning about a man from ancient Athens, but about a way of thinking, living, and questioning that feels very modern.


“I Know That I Know Nothing” — A Different Kind of Wisdom


One of the strongest things that stayed with me was how Socrates accepted his own ignorance. He didn’t claim to be wise. In fact, he said, “I know that I know nothing.” In the TED-Ed video, this idea is presented beautifully. Socrates didn’t teach by giving answers—he asked questions. Again and again. Simple, honest, direct questions. And slowly, people began to see that maybe they didn’t understand the things they thought they did.

In today’s world—full of fake news, overconfidence, and social media opinions—this attitude of humility feels very refreshing. Socrates teaches us that true wisdom begins when we accept how little we actually know.


The Chicken at Deathbed — What Was Socrates Really Saying?


The Lallantop video added a unique touch. It explained that just before Socrates died, he mentioned a strange thing: to offer a rooster (chicken) to Asclepius, the god of healing. At first, it sounds confusing—why talk about a chicken while dying?

But the explanation hit me hard. For Socrates, death was not a punishment—it was a cure. A cure from ignorance, illusion, and the limitations of the body. Life, with all its confusion, needed healing, and for him, death brought freedom to the soul.

This way of looking at life and death was not just brave—it was deeply spiritual. And it wasn’t based on blind belief, but on reasoning, discussion, and inner peace.

A Philosopher on Trial — Standing Up for Truth


Another video dramatized Socrates’ trial, based on Plato’s Apology. He was not afraid of punishment. He was not angry with the judges. He simply stood by his beliefs: that a person should not stop asking questions, no matter the cost.

He said something very powerful: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That one line made me stop and think. How often do we really stop to examine our lives? Our choices? Our beliefs?

For Socrates, living blindly—just eating, working, following the crowd—was not enough. Life should be questioned. Otherwise, it becomes shallow.

Socratic Method — Still Useful Today


The TED-Ed video also explained how Socratic questioning works in real life. It’s not just for philosophers. It’s useful in classrooms, in meetings, even in personal relationships. Instead of debating to win, you ask to understand.

I learned that in the Socratic method:
  • You don’t assume you're right.
  • You ask open-ended questions.
  • You listen with patience.
  • You slowly uncover the truth—together.
This method can help reduce arguments and promote thoughtful conversations. In a world full of shouting, this calm approach feels powerful.


What I Personally Took Away


Before watching these videos, I saw philosophy as something boring or too complex. But now, I feel it’s something we all need—especially in today’s confusing times. Socrates taught me:

  • It’s okay to not have all the answers.
  • Always ask questions—but ask with humility.
  • Speak the truth, even when it’s risky.
  • Never stop learning.
More than anything, Socrates taught me how to think—not what to think.


Video References from Blog:









Final Words


Socrates may have lived thousands of years ago, but after watching these videos, he feels strangely close. His life reminds us that truth-seeking, honesty, and deep thinking never go out of fashion. He may have been sentenced to death, but his ideas are still alive—questioning, guiding, and inspiring.