Imagine living in a society where questioning the status quo could cost you your own life. For Socrates, this price was not too high in the relentless pursuit of truth. Considered the father of Western philosophy, Socrates revolutionized the way we think, not with ready-made answers, but with questions that challenged deeply rooted certainties.

Socrates believed that true wisdom was in recognizing one's own ignorance. He would walk the streets of Athens provoking debates, asking seemingly simple questions that led people to confront their beliefs. His famous Socratic method, based on dialogues and inquiries, continues to be used today as a powerful tool for developing critical thinking.

By confronting traditional knowledge, Socrates challenged the idea that truth should be accepted without questioning. He believed that ideas inherited from past generations should be analyzed, discussed, and, if necessary, reformulated. His method aimed not to destroy beliefs, but to strengthen them through logical reasoning and rational argumentation.

An interesting fact about Socrates is that he never wrote a single line himself. Everything we know about him comes from the writings of his disciples, primarily Plato. However, it is equally true that the use of the Socratic method in modern education significantly improves students' analytical skills. According to various studies in the field and across different countries, schools that have adopted this practice have reported an increase in intellectual autonomy and students' ability to question information, encouraging deeper and more reflective learning.

My dear interlocutor,

Perhaps you believe you know many things, but have you ever wondered how many of them have been truly questioned? If there is one thing I have learned, it is that wisdom does not lie in the accumulation of answers, but in the art of asking the right questions.

Do not fear the discomfort of doubt, for it is in it that true growth lies. Question. Investigate. Do not accept truths without first reflecting upon them. Knowledge that is not challenged is like a body that does not move: it eventually withers.

May your mind never settle, but remain restless in the pursuit of truth.

With affection and reflection,

Socrates

Condemned to death for "corrupting the youth" and "disrespecting the gods," Socrates accepted his sentence without fleeing. For him, living without seeking truth would be worse than death itself. His courage inspired generations of thinkers, leaders, and visionaries to never accept things as they are, but to constantly seek how they could be.

His teachings transcended time and continue to echo in education, science, and even in daily decision-making. Socratic thinking teaches us that we should not fear questions, for it is through them that we discover new perspectives and evolve as individuals and as a society.

Socrates' philosophy teaches us that there is no growth without questioning. Accepting traditional knowledge without reflecting is to limit our possibilities for expansion. The invitation is simple: think, ask, challenge. Only then can the world become something greater than it already is.

Imagine you are in a discussion about a controversial topic. Everyone around you seems to have firm and definitive opinions, while you still have doubts. What do you do? Do you accept the prevailing opinion, or do you question until you understand for yourself?

¹ Ask yourself "why?" more often: Whenever you hear a statement, train your mind to question its foundation and check if it makes sense.

² Practice active listening: Instead of just waiting for your turn to speak, truly pay attention to what is being said and reflect before responding.

³ Expose yourself to different perspectives: Read, talk, and seek information from various sources before forming your own opinion.

Now, reflect: Is truth something fixed or mutable? Throughout history, many "absolute truths" have been challenged and replaced. What you believe today could be different tomorrow? If so, then perhaps what matters is not finding a definitive answer, but keeping alive the willingness to question and evolve.