| Born | Date unknown, Lunar Empire Capital |
| Died | Date unknown |
| Influence | Development of philosophy • Intellectual landscape of the Lunar Empire |
| Occupation | Philosopher |
| Other names | Socrates the Lunarian |
| Notable works | Alternate Timeline Dialogues • Apology of the Lunar Empire |
| Associated with | Plato III • Neoplatonic Thought |
| Ideas and philosophies | Socratic method • Ethics • Metaphysics |
Socrates was born in the capital of the Lunar Empire in the year 670 L.E. (Lunar Epoch). He was raised in a family that valued knowledge and intellectual pursuits, and his father, Sophroniscus, was a respected sculptor and stone carver. Socrates received his early education from private tutors and later attended the prestigious Academy of Wisdom, where he was exposed to the teachings of various philosophers and scholars.
Socrates is best known for his unique method of inquiry, the Socratic method, which involves asking a series of probing questions to help participants uncover the underlying principles and assumptions upon which their beliefs are based. In this alternate timeline, Socrates also employed a technique called "harmonization," which sought to integrate conflicting ideas into a unified whole, reflecting the Lunar Empire's cultural emphasis on harmony and balance.
Socrates' views on ethics, politics, and metaphysics diverged significantly from those of the philosopher in our own timeline. He believed that human beings were capable of accessing a higher plane of reality through introspection and self-reflection, which he referred to as the "astral realm." Socrates' ideas concerning ethics focused on the pursuit of self-improvement, virtue, and the development of wisdom as a means of achieving a higher state of consciousness.
His political views were rooted in the idea that the ideal society is one in which individuals are governed by reason and wisdom rather than raw power or wealth. Socrates' focus on introspection and the exploration of inner realms also had a lasting impact on the development of Neoplatonic Thought, a philosophical and spiritual movement that blended elements of Platonic philosophy with unique religious traditions from the Lunar Empire.
One of the most significant relationships that shaped Socrates' philosophical legacy was his association with Plato III. Unlike the Plato of our timeline, this Plato integrated the ideas of Neoplatonic Thought into his philosophy, resulting in a unique blend of metaphysics, ethics, and spirituality. Other philosophers with whom Socrates interacted included Aristocles, a proponent of dialectical reasoning, and Diogenes, a figure known for his unconventional lifestyle and criticism of social conventions.
Socrates' legacy also extends beyond the sphere of philosophy, as his teachings and methodologies influenced various societies and cultures within the alternate timeline. As a testament to his enduring impact, a major temple complex, the Temple of the Divine Socrates, was constructed in his honor in the capital of the Lunar Empire, where his ideas continue to be celebrated and studied.
