Which philosopher is known for emphasizing inquiry and ethics in his teachings?

Socrates is renowned for his emphasis on inquiry and ethics, particularly through the method of questioning known as the Socratic method. This method involves dialogue and critical questioning to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. Socrates believed that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding was essential for ethical living and that an unexamined life was not worth living. His approach laid the foundation for Western philosophy, emphasizing the importance of ethical inquiry and the belief that true wisdom comes from recognizing one’s own ignorance.

In contrast, while Plato, a student of Socrates, certainly engaged with ethical and philosophical questions, his work often involved more abstract theorizing, particularly concerning the nature of forms and ideal states. Aristotle, a student of Plato, also dealt with ethics but framed his inquiries in more systematic terms, focusing on virtue ethics and practical ethics rather than the inquiry-based approach of Socrates. Heraclitus is known for his doctrine of change and the idea that everything is in flux, which differs from the Socratic focus on ethical inquiry and self-examination. Thus, it is Socrates who is most directly associated with the emphasis on inquiry and ethics in his teachings.