Socrates’ thoughts significantly influenced philosophical discourse, particularly through his method of dialectical questioning, known as the Socratic method. This approach encouraged critical thinking and dialogue, promoting the idea that knowledge is derived through questioning rather than rote memorization. Socrates focused on ethics and the pursuit of virtue, challenging established norms and encouraging individuals to seek personal truth. His ideas laid the foundation for Western philosophy and shaped subsequent thinkers, including Plato and Aristotle. Socrates' legacy persists, as his emphasis on self-examination and intellectual inquiry remains central to philosophical studies today.