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357 รองศาสตราจารย์สิ วลี ศิ ริ ไล วารสารราชบัณฑิตยสภา ปีที่ ๔๐ ฉบับที่ ๓ ก.ค.-ก.ย. ๒๕๕๘ Abstract Rethinking: Socrates’ ethical thought on nature of man, duty, and living in society Sivalee Sirilai Associate Fellow of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, The Royal Society of Thailand. Socrates (469-399 B.C.), the great Greek Philosopher, lived in what has been called the philosophy’s golden age. He was the first to teach us how to conduct our lives and ourselves. Man is a rational being, the good person is the rational person. To act rationally is the behavior appropriate to human nature. True knowledge can be obtained through wisdom, enabling him to judge what is right. The connection between knowing and doing is the most characteristic feature of Socrates’ ethics. At this point Socrates emphasized on “virtue is knowledge” He realized that all the transactions between individuals and society must be conducted within the framework of moral bond. The state or the society provides the individuals with some benefits: security, protection, education etc. By virtue of beneficiary of all these, the individual incurs and obligates to respect and protect the framework of social practice. Socrates declared from the conviction that morality rests on the reciprocity of right and duty. Moral community can exist only when this is recognized. Keywords:  Nature of man, moral obligation, right and duty, moral community.