Citing ancient philosophers can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the father of Western philosophy himself, Socrates.
With no written works of his own, Socrates is typically cited through the dialogues of his student, Plato. But how do you properly cite Socrates in your academic writing?
Fear not, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore the various citation styles and guidelines for referencing Socrates and his teachings.
So grab your pen and paper, and let’s dive into the world of Socratic citation.
How To Cite Socrates
When citing Socrates, it’s important to keep in mind that he did not leave behind any written works of his own. Therefore, he is typically cited through the dialogues of his student, Plato.
To properly cite Socrates in your academic writing, you should follow the guidelines for referencing ancient sources and classics. This includes the author’s name, the year of original publication (in round brackets), the book title (in italics), the translator (if relevant), the edition number (if not the first edition), the publisher and place of publication, and the volume and series number (if necessary).
For example, if you were citing Plato’s “Apology of Socrates”, your citation might look something like this:
Plato. (1976). Apology of Socrates: An Interpretation, with a New Translation. Translated by Lenny G. Peter. Ithaca, FL: Florida University Press.
When citing passages from Plato’s works, you should use the Stephanus numbering system, which can be found in the margins of most editions. To cite a passage, you need to give the name of the dialogue, as well as the Stephanus page and page section on which it appears.
In-text citations in MLA style may exclude the author’s name and/or the name of the dialogue if they appear in the sentence itself. In that case, the Stephanus pages may appear by themselves in parentheses.
If you’re citing a quote from Plato’s Republic or another work that does not include Stephanus numbers, you should include as much information as possible about the edition you’re using, including the translator and publisher.
Finally, when citing a quote from Plato or Socrates, it’s important to be clear about who said what. If you’re quoting Socrates directly from one of Plato’s dialogues, make sure to attribute the quote to Socrates within your citation.
Introduction To Socratic Citation
When it comes to citing Socrates, it’s important to understand that he did not write any texts himself. Instead, his teachings and ideas are primarily found in the dialogues of his student, Plato. Therefore, when citing Socrates, you will typically be citing passages from Plato’s works.
To properly cite Socrates in your academic writing, you should follow the guidelines for referencing ancient sources and classics. This includes providing information such as the author’s name, the year of original publication, the book title, the translator (if relevant), the edition number (if not the first edition), the publisher and place of publication, and the volume and series number (if necessary).
When citing passages from Plato’s works, it’s important to use the Stephanus numbering system. These numbers can be found in the margins of most editions and refer to specific pages and sections within each dialogue. In-text citations in MLA style may exclude the author’s name and/or the name of the dialogue if they appear in the sentence itself. In that case, the Stephanus pages may appear by themselves in parentheses.
If you’re citing a quote from Plato’s Republic or another work that does not include Stephanus numbers, you should include as much information as possible about the edition you’re using, including the translator and publisher.
Finally, when citing a quote from Plato or Socrates, be sure to attribute it correctly to avoid any confusion about who said what. If you’re quoting Socrates directly from one of Plato’s dialogues, make sure to attribute the quote to Socrates within your citation. Overall, understanding how to properly cite Socrates is crucial for any academic writing that references his ideas and teachings.
Understanding Socrates’ Teachings
Socrates is known for his association with the Socratic method of questioning and his belief that the unexamined life is not worth living. He never wrote anything down but was committed to living simply and to interrogating the everyday views and popular opinions of those in his home city of Athens. Socrates believed in intellectualism about human virtue, which is the thesis that virtue is knowledge. He argued for Reductive Monist Intellectualism (RMI) about human virtue, which identifies all virtues with one and the same kind of knowledge. In a number of dialogues, including the Euthyphro, Apology, Charmides, Euthydemus, Laches, Lysis, Protagoras, and Republic I, Socrates gives arguments that support RMI.
To understand Socrates’ teachings, it’s important to keep in mind the historical and philosophical context in which he lived. He was part of a quest for wisdom in ancient Greek philosophy, which saw intellectual activity as both theoretical and practical in its aims. Socrates’ teachings were very different from the goals of contemporary philosophy. He believed that true wisdom comes from questioning one’s own beliefs and assumptions, rather than blindly accepting what one has been taught or what society deems to be true. He also believed that the pursuit of knowledge should be a lifelong endeavor and that no one can claim to have all the answers.
Socrates’ teachings on virtue are particularly noteworthy. He believed that virtue is not something that can be taught but rather something that must be discovered through questioning and self-reflection. He argued that virtues are not separate qualities but rather aspects of a unified whole that he called “the good.” For Socrates, the ultimate goal of life was to achieve this unified state of goodness through constant self-examination and questioning.
Citing Socrates In APA Style
When citing Socrates in APA style, you should follow the guidelines for referencing ancient sources and classics. This includes the author’s name, the original year of publication (in round brackets), the book title (in italics), the translator (if relevant), the edition number (if not the first edition), the publisher and place of publication, and the volume and series number (if necessary).
If you’re citing a quote from Plato that includes both the translation date and the original date of publication, your citation should look like this: Plato (2000/370 B.C.E.). However, if the translation is not by Plato, you should only reference the translation date: Plato, trans. (2000).
It’s also important to note that for ancient works, missing reference information is common. In this case, you should cite the work as if it has no author and use the date of republication for the version you’re citing, if available. For example: Plato. (1976). Apology of Socrates: An Interpretation, with a New Translation. Ithaca, FL: Florida University Press.
When quoting a classical or religious work in your text, use “canonically numbered parts common across editions (e.g., books, chapters, verses, lines, cantos)” instead of page numbers. And if you’re using multiple versions of the same source, create a separate reference list entry for each version.
Citing Socrates In MLA Style
When citing Socrates in MLA style, it’s important to remember that he is typically cited through the dialogues of his student, Plato. To properly cite Socrates, follow the guidelines for referencing ancient sources and classics. This includes including the author’s name, the year of original publication in round brackets, the book title in italics, the translator (if relevant), the edition number (if not the first edition), the publisher and place of publication, and the volume and series number (if necessary).
For example, if you were citing Plato’s “Apology of Socrates,” your citation might look like this:
Plato. Apology of Socrates: An Interpretation, with a New Translation. Translated by Lenny G. Peter, Florida University Press, 1976.
When citing passages from Plato’s works, use the Stephanus numbering system found in most editions. To cite a passage, give the name of the dialogue and the Stephanus page and page section where it appears.
In-text citations in MLA style may exclude the author’s name and/or the name of the dialogue if they appear in the sentence itself. In that case, include only the Stephanus pages in parentheses.
If you’re citing a quote from Plato’s Republic or another work that does not include Stephanus numbers, include as much information as possible about the edition you’re using, including the translator and publisher.
Finally, when citing a quote from Plato or Socrates, be clear about who said what. If you’re quoting Socrates directly from one of Plato’s dialogues, attribute the quote to Socrates within your citation.
Citing Socrates In Chicago Style
When citing Socrates in Chicago style, the citation format is slightly different from MLA style. In Chicago style, the author’s name is listed first, followed by the title of the work in italics, the translator (if applicable), the publisher, and the year of publication. If you are citing a specific passage, you should also include the page number.
For example, if you were citing Plato’s “Apology of Socrates” in Chicago style, your citation might look something like this:
West, Thomas G. Plato’s “Apology of Socrates”: An Interpretation, with a New Translation. Cornell University Press, 1979.
If you are citing a specific passage from the text, you would include the page number at the end of the citation, like this:
(West 45)
When citing a quote from Socrates or Plato in Chicago style, it’s important to include the speaker’s name within your citation to avoid confusion. If you’re quoting Socrates directly from one of Plato’s dialogues, make sure to attribute the quote to Socrates within your citation.
Tips For Accurate Socratic Citations
When citing Socrates, it’s important to remember that his ideas and teachings are primarily found in the dialogues of Plato. To ensure accurate Socratic citations, consider the following tips:
1. Use the Stephanus numbering system: When citing passages from Plato’s works, use the Stephanus numbering system found in the margins of most editions. This system includes a combination of numbers and letters that refer to specific pages and sections within the text.
2. Include relevant publication information: When citing Plato’s works, be sure to include relevant publication information such as the author’s name, year of publication, book title, translator (if relevant), edition number (if not the first edition), publisher and place of publication, and volume and series number (if necessary).
3. Attribute quotes to Socrates: If you’re quoting Socrates directly from one of Plato’s dialogues, make sure to attribute the quote to Socrates within your citation.
4. Use appropriate citation style: Depending on the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA), there may be specific guidelines for citing ancient sources and classics. Be sure to consult the appropriate style guide for guidance on how to cite Socrates in your academic writing.
By following these tips, you can ensure accurate and effective citations when referencing Socrates in your academic work.
