New Delhi, March 27 -- Today, we turn to the wisdom of one of history's most influential thinkers - a man who never wrote a single book, yet shaped the course of Western philosophy: Socrates.

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived in Athens from around 470 to 399 BC. Often called the "father of Western philosophy", he stood apart from many thinkers of his time. He did not charge for teaching. Instead, he spent his days in public spaces, engaging ordinary citizens in probing conversations.

Through persistent questioning, he challenged assumptions and encouraged people to think critically about their beliefs. This approach, now known as the Socratic method, sought truth through dialogue. At its core was a simple but powerful ...