The teacher of Socrates, according to historical accounts, was likely Archelaus, a Pre-Socratic philosopher from Athens. Archelaus is said to have introduced Socrates to natural philosophy and ethical inquiries. However, Socrates is largely known for developing his own unique approach to philosophy, focusing on ethics and questioning rather than the natural sciences, which were central to Archelaus’s teachings.
Additional Context:
- Socrates himself claimed to be self-taught and often credited his wisdom to his method of relentless questioning rather than formal instruction.
- Mythologically, Socrates also referenced the influence of the Delphic Oracle and the divine inner voice (his “daimonion”) that guided him.
While Archelaus may have influenced him early on, Socrates developed a distinct philosophy that had a profound impact on his most famous students, Plato and Xenophon.