Buddha practices the middle path/ way of life. It's called the eightfold path which are the principles to live by (right view, right intention, etc.) you should look that up. The 8 steps are the path to enlightenment. He also believes in the four noble truths (life is suffereing is number one.) the only way we learn these things is to go through life and reincarnation. Eventually we become on with life and reach nirvana. He also does a lot with meditation. Socrates deals more with truth and morals. He was more concerned with worldy meanings and codes, while I'd say Buddha was more concerned with attaining the outerworldy through mastering the worldly.