Socrates On Democracy Essay, Research Paper
In Plato?s Euthyphro, Crito and the Apology, we learn of Socrates? highly
critical view of the democracy. Socrates believed that democracy was a flawed
system because it left the state in the hands of the unenlightened and it valued
all opinions as equal. In the Apology, we see how Socrates believed it was his
duty to stand for the law and justice despite the wishes of The Assembly, and
this cold have cost him his life. In Crito, Socrates states to obey the laws of
the State, only if they are just. It could be said that Socrates? views on
democracy and justice is what ultimately led to his death. Socrates believed
poor leaders are chosen, simply on their basis of their rhetoric ability, not on
their ethics or character. He opposed the efforts of the Sophists to teach their
students virtue, knowledge and rhetoric as practical subjects needed by citizens
to participate in the institutions of Athenian democracy. His belief on
knowledge and virtue was that these required ?absolute definition? which was
to be attained through exhaustive philosophical dialogue and debate. He seemed
to offend many Athenians with his negative dialectic method; revealing
people?s ignorance and inability to give definitions of truth and virtue. He
believed the citizen?s lack of knowledge made it impossible for the
citizen?s to vote properly for their leaders or for the leaders themselves to
even run. In the Apology, Socrates did not want anything to do with the Thirty
Tyrants and he crossed them to the extent that his life might have been in
danger, if they had not been overthrown. Socrates was against the trying of the
admirals from the battle of Arginusae. He was the only one to refuse to do
anything contrary to the laws. In his view it was his duty to stand for the law
and for justice despite the wishes of the Assembly, so he did, at risk of
prosecution or death. In Crito, Socrates believes that an Athenian is obligated
to obey the orders of the state or its officers, unless he considers those
orders unjust, ?in which case he may protest its injustice, but must consent
to punishment if his protest proves unavailing.? Socrates? continued to
honor his commitment to truth and morality even though it cost him his life. In
the Euthyphro, Socrates asks ?is the pious loved by the gods because it is
pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?? (10A). This question
can be restated as does the state prohibit this action because it is unjust, or
is it unjust because the state prohibits it? Does this ultimately mean then that
actions become right or wrong because of society?s approval or disapproval? In
the Apology, Socrates states the only opinion that counts is not that of the
majority of people, but rather that of the one individual who truly knows. The
truth alone deserves to be the basis for decisions about human action, so the
only proper approach is to engage in the sort of careful moral reasoning by
means of which one may hope to reveal it.
Другие работы по теме:
K Essay Research Paper 2a Why does
K Essay, Research Paper 2.a) Why does the Athenian jury convict Socrates, and why does Socrates maintain his innocence? b) Do you think it was right for Socrates to accept his punishment of death without fleeing, even though he thought he was innocent?
PlatoS Biography Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato`S Biography Essay, Research Paper Plato’s LifeThere is an ancient story (very likely a true one) that Plato was originally named Aristocles, but acquired the nickname Plato (”broad” or “wide” in Greek) on account of his broad shoulders. Both of Plato’s parents were from distinguished aristocratic families.
Cicero Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates
Cicero Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates and Marcus Tullius Cicero were both two great philosophers of their time. They both had great intellectual and highly philosophical ideas on many things, but the complexity of their ideas do not generally agree each others. One reason why there may be a distinct difference in belief is simply because Cicero was a Greek and Socrates was a Roman men.
Not Hearing Socrates Essay Research Paper Writing
Not Hearing Socrates Essay, Research Paper Writing and speaking are two very different, yet extremely important activities to any educated person. Socrates, from Phaedrus and Letters VII and VIII, seems to think that spoken word holds great precedence over writing. His explanation of choosing speech over text is two fold.
Why Does Socrates Claim That No Person
Ever Desires What Is Bad? Essay, Research Paper Why Does Socrates claim that no person ever desires what is bad? The arguments to support the claim that Socrates believes that no man ever desires what is bad may be found in the Meno. In this conversation, Socrates and his fellow man Meno are in search of true knowledge (or the form) of virtue.
Socrates Apology Essay Research Paper Socrates made
Socrates Apology Essay, Research Paper Socrates made the correct choice to continue with his “Apology” after he received this guilty verdict. Socrates continued his defense after he received the guilty verdict for several reasons. I think the reasons why he continued his defense are: he wanted to acknowledge the Athenians who voted for his acquittal and guilt, and the jury still had to decide Socrates’ punishment.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates believed in
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates believed in speaking the truth. In his speeches, his true character is revealed. He is an individual, who lived only to spread knowledge. Socrates was humble, knowing that he was no wiser than anyone. In not recording his knowledge, he was able to devote more time to thought.
Was Socrates Wise Or A Wise Guy
Essay, Research Paper Socrates was a unique individual with an unordinary style of living. One main goal everyday for Socrates was to determine wheter or not what the oracle said was true. He would do this by asking questions to individaulas. What he wanted us to know was if he was actually the wises man in Greece.
The Death Of Socrates Essay Research Paper
“Crito, you and other people who claimed to be friends to Socrates are all useless! How could you have been so cowardly, or lazy, or stingy, as to allow you ‘friend’ to die? Surely, with a little courage, energy, and money, you could have saved him.”Those are strong accusations coming from someone who obviously did not know Socrates as well as his other students or me.
Socrates And Thoreau Essay Research Paper The
Socrates And Thoreau Essay, Research Paper The main difference between Socrates and Thoreau was the their views on the relationship between people and government. Socrates believed that the people are work for the government. They are supposed to obey the orders of the government and serve the government to the best of their abilities.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates was a
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates was a Greek philosopher and teacher. His teachings, life and death have made him one of the most admired people in history. Although he wrote no books or developed a regular school of thought, his influence inspired others to. Socrates affected the entire course of Western thought.
Knowledge Essay Research Paper Intro to PhilKnowledge
Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Intro to Phil Knowledge as Justified True Belief Reprinted from The Collected Dialogues of Plato (1961) edited by Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns. Plato (ca. 428 to 348 B.C.) a student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle and a giant of Western philosophy, best know for his classical theory of ideal forms.
Dialogue Of Plato And Meno Essay Research
Paper Summary of Meno In the “Meno” dialogue, Meno asks Socrates if he knows how virtue is acquired: by nature, or by teaching. Socrates replies that one cannot know how virtue is acquired unless one has a solid definition of ‘virtue.’ Socrates then charges Meno with the task of offering him a sufficient and whole definition of what virtue really is.
The Trial Of Socrates 2 Essay Research
Paper The Trial of Socrates Socrates is certainly not guilty of the crimes he is accused of. He is not corrupting the youth of Athens and he does indeed believe in gods. His manner is uncommon and because of that he is feared by his accusers (Meletus, Anytus, Lycon, et al.). Justice will be miscarried if he is put to death.
Charges Against Socrates Essay Research Paper One
Charges Against Socrates Essay, Research Paper One of the most famous philosophers of all times, Socrates, was put to trial in Athens around 347 BCE in behalf of three major counts. First of all he was indicted for corrupting the youth of Athens. Secondly, he was indicted for not believing in the gods in whom the city of Athens believed in; thirdly he was charged for believing in other new divinities which were not traditional to the city.
The Apology Essay Research Paper The ApologyIn
The Apology Essay, Research Paper The Apology In The Apology by Plato, Socrates was giving his testimony before he was forced to commit suicide. He was trying to prove that death is better than living without one?s beliefs. He believed that he was innocent, going to a better place, and he was going to die anyway.
Socrates Arguments Regarding Moral Conventionalism Essay Research
Paper In assessing the validity of Socrates? arguments regarding moral conventionalism, Plato presents a multitude of premises on which Socrates? argument is based. These premises both support and weaken Socrates? beliefs against Sophist teachings. Using The Crito and The Apology, it is relatively easy to understand Socrates? reasoning in opposing the sophistic position of moral relativism.
Apology Essay Research Paper Apology PaperSocrates states
Apology Essay, Research Paper Apology Paper Socrates states that the only thing he knows is that he knows nothing. I feel that Socrates is saying that he recognizes the fact that he does not know much. Socrates does not try to pretend that he is this almighty person who pretends that they know things they don t know.
The Apology Of Socrates Essay Research Paper
The Apology of Socrates,by Plato,is an important work of literature. Although written some two-thousand years ago,it shows us how our society is much like the one of Socrates.It shows how the equities and inequities of his time are like the one’s today.In reading the Apology of Socrates,one can learn how consistency can lead to equitableness.
Crito Essay Research Paper While awaiting his
Crito Essay, Research Paper While awaiting his execution in prison, Socrates was confronted by his friend Crito, and given an opportunity to escape. Crito offered a multitude of reasons to support his proposal, however Socrates refused to leave on the basis of four premises:- One must never do wrong, even in return for wrong.- It is wrong to break a just agreement.- The agreement between the laws of Athens and its citizens is just because all citizens are allowed two alternatives to obeying the laws.- Leaving would constitute breaking the agreement.Supported my these four premises, Socrates claimed that escaping from prison would be morally wrong.
Dialogue Phaedo Death Of Socrates By Phaedo
To Echecrates Essay, Research Paper The dialogue Phaedo is a narration of the death of Socrates by Phaedo to Echecrates. One of the themes in the dialogue Phaedo is Socrates perception of death. He and those who come to visit him on the day of his execution discuss this idea of his. Socrates believes that every philosopher awaits death because it is coupled with being a philosopher.
Socraric Method Essay Research Paper The Socratic
Socraric Method Essay, Research Paper The Socratic Method of philosophy is basically a series of question leading to an answer. In order for this method to work though, two conditions must be met. The first one is that the interlocutor has to say what he believes. The second is that the answers must be kept short.
The Crito Essay Research Paper The dialogue
The Crito Essay, Research Paper The dialogue of The Crito, by Plato, recounts the last days of Socrates, immediately before his execution was going to take place in Athens. In the dialogue, Socrates friend, Crito, proposes that Socrates escape from prison. Socrates considers this proposal, trying to decide if escaping would be just and morally justified.
Question Can A Person Perform Evil Acts
Voluntarily? Essay, Research Paper Question: Can a person perform evil acts voluntarily? ?Evil corrupts the evil doer.? ?Is there anyone, then, who wishes to be harmed by those he associates with, rather than to be benefited?? In defending himself against accusations of corruption and evil, Socrates argues in his apology that no person performs evil acts voluntarily.
The Last Days Of Socrates
– An Unlawful Execution Essay, Research Paper Socrates, considered by many historians as the greatest mind to ever live, spent his final days under the false accusations of the law. These accusation were that Socrates was not worshipping the gods of the popular ancient culture, and was also corrupting the young with his constant questioning of the truths of other philosophers.
The Noble Lie Essay Research Paper The
The Noble Lie Essay, Research Paper The Noble Lie In book III, Socrates begins to describe criteria for an ideal city. Socrates begins by describing who should rule this ideal city. He feels that they must choose guardians who have the state s interest at heart, because they see it identical with their own interest.
Socrates The Cave Essay Research Paper The
Socrates` The Cave Essay, Research Paper The cave I think that the idea of the cave and one man breaking lose from the chains is a good representation of the select few in the world. It takes great courage to break away from the group and venture out on your own. Once you find what you are looking for do you have a choice of weather or not you should go back to the group? If you found the one thing that could explain all of life?s mysteries would you keep it all to you?re self or would you want to share it with the world? Personally I would have to share it with at least one person.
Thoughts Of Socrates Plato And Aristotle Essay
, Research Paper Three Athenian philosophers flourish in Greece from 470 B. C. until 320 B. C. These philosophers were famous for their ?schools of thought.? The first of these is Socrates who lived from 469 until 399 B. C. He did not leave any writings behind; therefore, we know about his ways of thinking from those of whom he taught.
Whitman
’s Democracy Essay, Research Paper Whitman’s Democracy “I speak the pass-word primeval, I give the sign of democracy, By God! I will Accept nothing which all cannot have their counterpart
Philosophies Of Socrates Plato And Aristotle Essay
, Research Paper Philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle The philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had different points of-view but they were also similar in some ways. For example, all three
Plato Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Plato vs SocratesPlato was one of the most influential and significant philosophers throughout the antient and modern world. Through his rich blood line and his years of studying under Socrates, Plato was able to develop various theories, such as the Theory of Knowledge and The Forms.
Antigone Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Antigone
Antigone Vs. Socrates Essay, Research Paper Antigone vs. Socrates In the plays Antigone and the Crito the two lead characters, Antigone and Socrates, showed completely different ideas regarding their responsibilities to the State. Antigone believes in divine law and does what she thinks that the Gods would want her to do.