소크라테스적 종교는 가능한가?

Socrates did not found a religion, and in this sense he is different from Confucius, Buddha and Jesus. So there can be no ‘Socrates’ religion. But if we can assume that there are evidently religious aspects in his thought, and if it can become a religion by expanding these aspects, then we may conclude that ‘Socratic religion’ is possible.

In general, there are three arguments to regard Socrates as a religious person. The first is to see him as a precursor of Christianity or a Christian martyr, the second is to regard Socrates’ daimonion as identical with Christian revelation, and the third is to argue that Socrates was a religious person because of his firm belief in the immortality of soul. But in this paper, I argue that these three arguments offer some justifications but insufficient to conclude that he was a religious person.

Shall we conclude then that not only Socratic religion is impossible but also he was not a religious person? I do not think so. For there are two counter arguments.

Religious truths have at least two essential characteristics. First, those who have religious truths are absolutely happy, no matter what. This is why Socrates as a religious person could advise his disciples to improve their souls even at the time of his death bed. Second, those who have religious truths do love others, no matter what. How could it be possible for someone to love invisible ultimate reality if he did not love visible brothers? This is why Socrates as a religious person took his mission to philosophize as a divine command.

Socrates did not initiate any official religion, but he was truly a devout religious person, who transcended the boundary of institutionalized religion. It follows that Socratic religion is evidently possible.