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. I believe Socrates to be one of the most important philosophers ever.
Born in Athens, Socrates (470-399 BCE) was the son of a wealthy sculptor. There he received the regular elementary education in literature, music, and gymnastics. Initially Socrates followed the craft of his father; he executed a statue group of the three Graces, which stood at the entrance to the Acropolis until the second century AD. During the Pelopennesian war he served as an infantryman.
Since Socrates preferred conversation to writing, he left no writings himself, in order to study him we must look at what his students and others have written about him. The four main sources of Socrates life and philosophy are Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes. Xenophon and Plato were Socrates students, Aristotle was a student of Plato’s, and Aristophanes was a leading playwright in Socrates time. Plato was a philosopher but unlike his teacher put his beliefs in writing. He wrote about conversations people had with Socrates, from these writings we know that Socrates lived in Athens, dressed plain, and was known for his moderation of eating and drinking.
Believed to have been unattractive in appearance, Socrates is said to have been short in height, but healthy and self controlled. He was said to enjoy life and was popular because of his wit and sense of humor. He spent most of his adult life in the marketplace, streets and gymnasiums where he would engage in dialogue and arguments with anyone willing to speak with him. Socrates had a large following of young men in Athens, he taught by questioning his listeners and showing them how inadequate their answers were. He claimed to have little or no beliefs of his own but rather attempted to discover the truth by questioning others. It is likely he discussed many different subjects with many different people.
Socrates believed that he had a divine calling to pursue philosophy. He loved his country and was obedient to Athens laws, but he avoided politics. He believed he could best serve his country by dedicating himself to teaching others how to do self-examination and care for their souls. Socrates spent his time discussing virtue and justice with his followers, he tried to improve Athens by seeking wisdom about right conduct so that he could guide the moral and intellectual improvement of the people of Athens.
The parents of Socrates’ pupils were often displeased with his influence and his unorthodox views on religion and democracy. Socrates made enemies among the influential Athenians. He was brought to trial and charged with corrupting the young and showing disrespect for religious traditions. The jury found Socrates guilty and sentenced him to death. According to Plato, Socrates calmly drank a cup of hemlock, the customary execution procedure of the time.
Although Socrates may have appeared dangerous to Athenian democracy, what he defended were the foundations of Democracy. His teachings were a major influence on many well-known philosophers, from which we learn his beliefs. His life was dedicated to the right of free flow on information and ideas. He believed in open debate and the right of all to seek knowledge. Socrates died because of his diversity and his unorthodox veiws on religion. Socrates always followed the laws of Athens, he even followed the law when he was found guilty and condemned to execution, he took his own life when he could have escaped.
In gathering information for this essay I used all resources from the Internet. I shared information with others in my group with closely related topics and I believe we all benefited from it. In developing the report I asked several journalistic questions I hoped to answer in the essay, such as, When did Socrates live?, Where was Socrates from and to whom did he teach?, What was Socrates background?, Who did he mainly influence?, Why and how did he die?, and What effect did Socrates have on modern society? By answering these essential questions I believe I developed an effective report which answers the questions people are interested in. Upon reflection I feel in the future I will gather only information that answers my journalistic questions first, then gather other facts I feel are interesting and important; my first draft was a great deal longer than my final copy because I narrowed the paper down to what I believe is a more concise essay, gathering information based more on the essential questions could save time wasted on unnecessary facts and more on the purpose at hand.
Bibliography
Sources
Hooker, Richard World Civilizations 1996
Beck, Sanderson What Socrates Taught Http.//www.san.beck/SocratesS4′What.html
Kemerling, Garth Socrates Philosophical Life 1999
skemerling@delphi
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 1998
Concise Columbia Encyclopedia 1991 Columbia University Press
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?
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.
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.
Analysis Of A Socratic Dialogue Essay Research
Paper Analysis of a Socratic Dialogue It is known that Socrates has many dialogues that involve a single thought or point of his. This early dialogue, Hippias Minor, is a great example of that. The dialogue goes along very detailed and methodically surrounding one point. It shows us, the readers, a different way to go about understanding Socrates? thought process.
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 On Democracy Essay Research Paper In
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
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.
Crito Essay Research Paper 1 Crito
Crito Essay, Research Paper 1. Crito’s ArgumentsThe arguments of Crito are centred and clear. He uses simple persuasion to try and convince Socrates to escape. His arguments push the idea that Socrates should attempt escape for the sake of others, namely his children, friends and the many.Crito points out that other men would have no hesitation in escaping, despite their age.
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.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates arguments that
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates arguments that it would be wrong to escape from prison is as follows. In Critos, Socrates explains to his friend Crito that escaping from prison would go against many of the thins that he (Socrates) believes in; seeking virtue, seeking the truth, not repaying an evil with another evil, obeying the laws of the state and so on.
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.
Crito Essay Research Paper Crito Days before
Crito Essay, Research Paper Crito Days before the ship arrives in the city of Athens, to take away the life of Socrates, after he has been sentence to death by an unjust jury. Crito one of the closest friends of Socrates tells Socrates to escape and not die because of an unfair cause. Crito also tells Socrates that he has many friends that are willing to sacrifice everything to see him live.
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 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.
What Is Piety Essay Research Paper What
What Is Piety Essay, Research Paper What is Piety During the Periclean age (around 400 B.C.) in Athens Greece there was a man named Socrates. He was considered a very wise man by the Athenians. However
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates Socrates as
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates Socrates, as known by Renault, was a beautiful creature. Not physically beautiful, but internally and fundamentally beautiful. It was he who said: When you assume the show of any virtue, you open a credit account, which one day you will have to meet or go broke (pp. 398).
Socrates Essay Research Paper An Apology From
Socrates Essay, Research Paper An Apology From Socrates’ The Apology is Socrates’ defense at his trial. As the dialogue begins, Socrates notes that his accusers have cautioned the jury against Socrates’ eloquence, according to Socrates, the difference between him and his accusers is that Socrates speaks the truth.
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.