Once upon a time in ancient Athens, there lived a philosopher named Socrates. He was known for his poor hygiene and disheveled appearance, often resembling a dumpster below your building. Shoes were a rarity for him, baths were infrequent, and his hair remained uncut. Despite his unappealing appearance, Socrates possessed a brilliant mind and a keen sense of humor.

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One day, a young man named Critobulus decided to challenge Socrates to a beauty contest. In this peculiar competition, both participants had to argue why they were more beautiful than the other. The townspeople gathered around, eager for some entertainment.

 

Socrates began by questioning Critobulus's concept of beauty. "Is beauty found only in humans, or can it also exist in other objects?" he asked.

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Critobulus replied, "Beauty can be found in many things, like horses, oxen, or even inanimate objects like shields, swords, or spears, as long as they are well made for their intended purpose."

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Socrates continued, "Then, why do we need eyes?"

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"To see, of course," Critobulus responded.

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"In that case," Socrates declared, "my eyes are more beautiful than yours because they bulge and allow me to see not only straight ahead but also to the sides."

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Critobulus, puzzled, asked, "Does this mean a crab's eyes are superior to any other creature's?"

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"Indeed," Socrates replied, "for their eyes are better positioned for strength."

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The townspeople laughed as Socrates used his wit and logic to argue for his own beauty, despite his obvious physical shortcomings. Ultimately, he lost the contest, but the real victory lay in demonstrating to Critobulus that his definition of beauty was far too simple.

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Socrates's legacy lies not in a grand university, a luxurious castle, or even in written texts. Instead, his gift to the world was his unwavering dedication to discussion, questioning, and argument – the Socratic method.

 

And through this story, we catch a glimpse of the man who, in his unkempt appearance and sharp wit, challenged the status quo and inspired generations of philosophers to come.