Final answer:
The statement suggesting Socrates considered himself a world citizen is false. He engaged in dialectical inquiries in Athens and was focused on ethical behaviors and soul care, unlike the Sophists, who taught persuasive skills for a fee and emphasized worldly success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Socrates considered himself a citizen of the whole world, not just Athens, is False. Socrates did spend his life engaging with his fellow Athenians and others in pursuit of wisdom, focusing on questions of truth, beauty, goodness, and virtue. He utilized the dialectical method of inquiry, much like the Sophists, but he did not charge for lessons, claim to have definitive knowledge, or seek to win contests with prizes. Socrates's primary interest was in understanding ethical behaviors and the well-being of the soul. While he questioned people in a similar manner to Sophists and met with various individuals, including foreigners and Sophists, there is no evidence to suggest that he considered himself a world citizen rather than an Athenian.
Socrates's approach was in stark contrast to the Sophists, who were more focused on success and charged for their services, teaching the art of persuasion to those aiming for success in law or politics. Socrates's pursuit of higher truths did invite suspicion and ultimately led to his trial and execution on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth in 399 BCE. His legacy and teachings were preserved primarily through the writings of his student Plato, who recorded Socrates's dialogues and ideas despite sharing a similar disdain for the written word.