Thinking man, as a consequence, will require boxes (8)
I believe the answer is:
socrates
'thinking man' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a consequence will require boxes' is the wordplay.
'a consequence' becomes 'so' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'will require' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'boxes' becomes 'crates' (crate is a kind of box).
'so'+'crates'='SOCRATES'
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for socrates that I've seen before include "2 [PHILOSOPHER]" , "Coarsest sort of Greek philosopher" , "Wise guy" , "Man philosophically questioning" , "Coarsest (anag) - philosopher" .)