Socrates: A Model and Method for Studying Political Philosophy

Abstract

This academic paper aims to study the paradigms and methodologies in political philosophy through the lens of Socratic thought. It explores Socrates was a philosopher who sought answers and was never satisfied with his knowledge. Through various thought processes and methods to gain that knowledge. and is also the model and king of philosophers. He was the teacher of the great Plato in political philosophy and the teacher of Aristotle. It shows that Socrates' mastery of knowledge was passed on to his students cleverly, making his work more outstanding than anyone else in his era. He believed that a good ruler must have knowledge and virtues to deliver good deeds to those under their rule to guarantee peace and order in the land. This process of seeking knowledge is called the dialectical process and includes 1) issues with consistent characteristics between interlocutors. 2) characteristics of rejecting the interlocutor's reasons; 3) characteristics of accepting and rejecting simultaneously; and 4) characteristics of finding common conclusions. In choosing an interlocutor or philosopher who can argue with reason, one must choose and understand that philosopher well to reduce biased conflicts.