Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is credited with laying the fundamentals (基础) of modern Western philosophy. He is a mysterious figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his most famous student Plato. Socrates has become well known for his contribution to the field of ethics（伦理学）. His method of teaching, known as the Socratic Method, by asking and answering questions to stimulate（激发）critical thinking and to explain ideas remains a commonly used tool in a wide range of discussions