•Only her lips were visible in the firelight, “Socrates is the beginning point for philosophy in Western civilization. We base the validity of science, literature, and philosophy on his methods and ideas. He was the first person we know in history who was martyred for his ideas. His death foretold and began the decline of the Greek city-state. If we understand the truth of Socrates’ ideas, we define Western civilization. If we validate Plato’s records of Socrates’ dialogues, we validate ancient Western literature.”