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According to Socrates, what is the definition of man?

Socrates’ teachings indicate that man is uniquely defined through his ability to think and question his own existence. Socratic philosophy centers around the claim that man has the ability to examine himself through dialogue with others and that "the unexamined life is not worth living." 


This definition aligns with Socrates’ insight that man thrives when he feeds his inner soul with knowledge as opposed to the temporary indulgence of shallow, physical pursuits. This philosophic argument maintains that questioning belief systems will ultimately result in deeper self-knowledge. In turn, Socrates argues, wisdom gained from deconstructing one another's belief systems will ultimately lead to a cleansing of the soul, wherein the virtues of truth can be extracted with ever increasing clarity and complexity.


To Socrates, the pursuit of excellence in thoughtful contemplation defines the quality of life a man can lead. 

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