No philosopher lived in a time of peace, although Greece had more wars than China. Chinese provinces and cities are very large and feudal, while Greek cities and states are small and urbanized. The urban environment in which Socrates lived made him more radical than Confucius. Socrates, unlike Confucius, was not asked by rulers how to govern effectively. However, Socrates was more idealistic and focused on things like freedom and knowledge relevant to his own interests. On the other hand, he presented and advised his views to the government and to many of his students who were going to work in the government.

Confucius advocated the Golden Rule as a theoretical guide to life: "Do not do to others as you would have them do to you." He advocated that although some people have greater potential than others, all people are created equal. There is also knowledge that creates gaps between people. Committed to independence, Socrates reflected on man's greatest will to seek wisdom. He believed that some people had greater potential than others to develop their rationality. Like Confucius, Confucius believed that higher classes should govern lower classes.