Great Leader Series.
This series profiles leaders who earned the title of “Great” through their accomplishments and teachings. Although the “Greats” were men and women of their times, they left us examples for all times. We seek to learn from them.
Socrates, Leader of Minds
We usually think of leaders as great warriors or mighty monarchs. Actually, there are many different ways of being a leader. One thing, however, is common among leaders: they are powerful influencers. Socrates, the great philosopher of ancient Greece, was – and still is – a leader of minds. His influence on clear thinking is as influential today as it was 2,400 years ago.
Many people think of philosophers as “ivory tower types.” Not Socrates! A “man among men,” he soldiered with the best, distinguished himself in combat by his bravery, endured fatigue and hardship better than any of his companions, and could – when the occasion called for it – drink them under the table without getting drunk himself. He loved his native city of Athens and was an active citizen of the community. (Incidentally, among the ancient Greeks, the word “Idiot” meant “one who doesn’t participate in matters of the community.”)
As human as the rest of us, Socrates had his weaknesses too. His absent-mindedness drove his wife to distraction. (On the other hand, when asked how one could become a philosopher, Socrates said, “Get married.”) At times, Socrates would be so immersed in a subject that he’d stop in the shade of a doorway and remain there for hours while pursuing a line of thought. Above all, Socrates was a superb thinker, teacher, and leader. We still refer to his method of teaching as the “Socratic Method.”
Socrates believed that all humans have the truth within themselves. He helped them discover it by asking questions that progressively led them in that direction. Socrates would pose a general question to his listeners, and then pursue a fundamental truth through dialogue. Rather than expound upon the truth, he led people to it.
Socrates held the truth to be above all other things. He taught others to do the same. He believed truth was the indispensable responsibility of leaders. Unfailingly honest, he spared neither himself nor others from the obligation to the truth. Loyal to this belief, he led by example and, in the end, gave up his life to uphold the truth.
His political enemies conspired to bring him to trial on a trumped-up charge that he was corrupting the youth of the city with his teachings. He was asked by his accusers if he thought himself to be “the wisest of men.” He responded by describing how he had dialogued with the best minds of the community – artists, poets, politicians, and others – in pursuit of the truth. He told how they all thought they knew the ultimate truths but, when questioned, were unable to prove it. Socrates, a seeker of wisdom, said he only knew that he knew nothing,” (in the sense that he was constantly looking for understanding) and because of that was probably wiser than the others.
Socrates could easily have “beat the rap” had he so desired. Instead, he embarrassed his accusers by forcing them to carry their farce through to the end and sentence him to death. The accusers even conspired with Socrates’ friends to help him escape from his prison. His friends begged him to flee, but Socrates refused. To do so would have been to admit that his accusers were right.
With firm resolve and steadfast courage, he calmly drank the cup of poison (hemlock) when it was brought to him. Then, he peacefully awaited his death while still engaging in conversation with his friends.
Socrates’ greatness was in his unwavering dedication to the truth and his commitment to helping others find it on their own. Would that we had leaders today who valued the truth as much as Socrates did.
