Final answer:
Socrates's enduring legacy in philosophy arises from his pioneering approach to questioning life's fundamental aspects and his focus on eudaimonia, truth, and ethical living, as preserved by Plato. Plato extended Socratic thought into a comprehensive philosophical system that has shaped the Western world's approach to knowledge, reality, and ethics. Socrates is revered in modern philosophy for the profound foundational influence he imparted on his disciples and through them, the larger world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Socrates is Considered the Best Philosopher According to Plato
Socrates, as depicted through the writings of his disciple Plato, is heralded as a foundational figure in Western philosophy. Socrates was instrumental in the development of the philosophical process of critical questioning and focused on quintessential human concerns such as living a Good Life and understanding the nature of knowledge, truth, beauty, and Goodness. His execution crystalized his commitment to these virtues and had a monumental impact on the shape of Western thought.
Plato, Socrates's most famous student, perpetuated and systematized Socrates's ideas through his dialogues, where Socrates often appears as a character engaging in philosophical inquiry. Plato's works, such as The Republic, advocate for the philosopher-king concept, where rulers possess in-depth knowledge of true reality and a deep love for wisdom, a notion undoubtedly influenced by his teacher's approach to philosophy.
By establishing the realm of Forms or Ideas as the ultimate reality, surpassing the material world, Plato ensured that ethics, truth, and knowledge remained pivotal in the study of being, shaping centuries of philosophical and political thought. The good, as contemplated by Socrates and defined by Plato, remains a central concern in ethics—a testament to their undying influence on philosophy and Western traditions.
Plato added to the Socratic method by proposing a complete philosophical system that synthesized ideas from Socrates as well as other prevalent thoughts of his day, which included the theories of the Sophists, Ionian scientists, and the Milesians. The unified system of thought that emerged from this synthesis is why many credit Plato—and implicitly Socrates—with shaping much of what is now modern philosophical discourse.