The ancient Greek philosopher known for his contributions to Western philosophy and ethics is Socrates. Living in the 5th century B.C., he is often credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. Socrates preferred dialogue and questioning as a means to explore moral concepts and truth, famously stating that "the unexamined life is not worth living." His Socratic method of inquiry focuses on asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas, influencing countless philosophers and educators throughout history. Socrates’ ideas laid groundwork for subsequent philosophical thought and were later recorded by his student, Plato.