Early influences on the philosophy of Socrates include the insights of earlier thinkers such as Heraclitus and Pythagoras, as well as the Socratic method itself, which emphasized dialogue and critical questioning. Socrates was particularly influenced by the examination of morality and virtue, which he explored through discussions with his contemporaries. His approach urged individuals to seek knowledge and understand their own beliefs, leading to important foundations in Western philosophy. Socrates' legacy is foundational to the fields of ethics and epistemology.