Socrates (circa 470-399 BC): Greek philosopher, who was born and lived in Athens.

The Socratic method of teaching involves asking questions, a method known as dialectic (moving back and forth between points of view). The philosopher's searching questions tend to reveal contradiction and inconsistency, exposed byway of logical interrogation. Central to this method is the elucidation of concepts such as Justice, Piety, etc. The interlocutor is challenged to state their own understanding of such terms, but through questioning is forced into logical contradictions. The main target for the Socratic dialectic was a group of philosophers known as the Sophists, who offered their services for payment and claimed to be able to teach virtue.