The Man Who Was Socrates Essay - 1439 Words

In Platos account of the death of Socrates, The Apology, the Greek philosopher and gadfly explains to his disciples why and how it is that he is able to accept his death sentence without fear or regret. The main thrust of Socrates position is that he prefers death to abandoning his principles, by which he means the right to speak and act freely and according to his convictions. Socrates is not entirely idealistic or irrational in his preference for death; he admits that he is old, that he has no irreplaceable attachments or obligations, and that he has accomplished most of what he set out to do in life. But at the same time, he offers compelling reasons why he should follow his convictions rather than obey his instinct for†¦show more content†¦Once more then, let us take their affidavit against me, as if they were another set of accusers. This is how it runs: It says that Socrates is a criminal, who corrupts the young and does not believe in the gods whom the state believes in, but other new spiritual things instead... It says I am a criminal who corrupts the young. But I say, gentlemen, that Meletos is a criminal who is making a jest of serious things by prosecuting people lightly... (Plato, 1956:429) Socrates is unafraid to turn the tables on his accusers, and to use his familiar Socratic method of dialogue and query to make fools of them. He shops in an instant, for example, that Meletos has no idea what the meaning of the charges against him are, and does not really care a bit about the corruption of the young. He mocks the suggestions of Meletos and others that they, so much younger, are better able to know what is good and what is bad in human beings. So when Socrates tells the court that he will never give way to another man on matters of principle or living convictions, he is telling the jury of five hundred of his fellow Athenians that he is willing to stand up to judgment and pay the price of his beliefs. As usual, Socrates defies his opponents to prove him wrong or to dissuade him from his opinions and beliefs. The second major reason Socrates gives for standingShow MoreRelatedPlatos The Allegory of the Cave as Means to Explain The Apology1672 Words   |  7 Pagesmeans to better decipher â€Å"The Apology of Socrates.† Plato himself never appears in either dialogue, but it is clear that he disagrees with how Socrates’s trial ended and hopes to prevent another unneeded execution in the future. In â€Å"The Apology of Socrates,† Socrates is accused of not recognizing the gods of the state and of corrupting the youth of Athens. Despite the many instances in which these allegations are challenged and, quite frankly, disproved, Socrates is still put to death. â€Å"The AllegoryRead MoreReaction Paper On Socrates1250 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates was born in circa 470 BC, in Athens Greece. The way we know about Socrates life through the writing of his fellow students, including Plato and Xenophon. In this paper, I will be discussing: the problem that most of his fellow citizens have against him and how can philosophy help us. The kind values that Socrates defends through his trail, and how the knowledge and virtue are required fo r a meaningful life. First, what from his perspective, is the problem that most of his fellow citizensRead MoreSocrates: Wise and Influential843 Words   |  4 PagesSocrates: Wise and Influential Look into the eyes of the bust of Socrates and you can almost see what he saw in the universe. It looks as though his wisdom is unsurmountable, as he did believe himself to be the most brilliant man in the universe, while also knowing for sure: the only thing he knows is that he doesn’t know anything. Unlike the famous Kouros statues that were all alike and used for a certain purpose of a grave maker, or shrine to the gods, the portrait of Socrates shows depth andRead MoreEuthyphro1547 Words   |  7 Pagesone of the many dialogues written by the Greek philosopher Plato documenting the quest for wisdom by his mentor, Socrates. The time that The Euthyphro takes place is preceding a trial that Socrates is in concerning some allegations that he was corrupting the youth of Athens, and ultimately leads to his demise. But it is a very important dialogue due to how it shows the methods Socrates used to try to gain wisdom, and gives some insight on his and or Platos view on holin ess altogether. In all, theRead MoreSocrates And The Early Athenian Era845 Words   |  4 PagesSocrates, a well-known philosopher of the early Athenian era, is believed to be one of the wisest and virtuous philosophers of all time. This belief holds true in the encounters of Symposium by Plato, as depicted by Alcibiades during a symposium held by Agathon. Alcibiades, the last to speak at the symposium, derails from the topic of the night, love, and elicits much praise and gratitude for Socrates. Although Alcibiades did not witness the speech given by Socrates on love, he manages to depictRead MoreThe Apology: The Understanding of the Soul in Life and Death Essay1735 Words   |  7 Pagesbrief synopsis of each major theme, with an analysis and my opinion following, and ending with the question of Socrates own death. Firstly, Plato introduces the important concept that it is far worse for one to do wrong than to suffer wrongdoing. Socrates, refusing to be harmed by Meletus, believes that â€Å"it is not allowed that a good man be injured by a worse† (pg. 41). Despite Socrates impending death or banishment, he does not think that these are the worst possible situations and still goesRead MoreSocrates : A Man By The Name Of Socrates963 Words   |  4 PagesIn 469 B.C. a man by the name of Socrates was born. Socrates was a very wise man that cared about doing the right thing. He believed that the best ways to develop ideas was in the give and take of conversation, and that the best way to educate people was to ask them a series of questions leading in a particular direction (now named â€Å"Socrates method). Socrates had been quick to identify the drawbacks of democracy, and he had also been the teacher of two men who in different ways harmed Athens: AlcibiadesRead MoreAccusations Again st Socrates1014 Words   |  5 PagesPrising Accusations against Socrates Even though the conception that Socrates corrupted the youth and posed a threat to society was a factor, the most direct reason why Socrates was executed was his method to question wise Athenians. The Socratic method iniciated the corruption of youth by young men who tried to imitate Socrates and as a result, posed a threat to society since the next generation may not follow traditional Athenian rules. Early on, Socrates had clearly established to theRead MoreAnalyzing The Ways That Plato Is An Unusual Epic Hero946 Words   |  4 PagesTroy to the winding streets of Athens, the ancient West was fascinated by epic heroes. Bards sang poems about the fleet footed Achilles and the cunning Odysseus. Every man, woman, and child knew the stories of Jason, Hercules, and Hector. However, there is one man who achieved fame akin to the epic heroes of olden times with neither strength nor skill. His name was Socrates. In ancient Greece, Socrates was the most famous celebrity. Today, Socrates is perhaps more famous than any epic hero. In an articleRead MoreEssay on The Trial of Socrates655 Words   |  3 Pages Socrates was accused of being a sophist because he was engaging in inquiries into things beneath the earth and in the heavens, of making the weaker argument appear the stronger, and teaching others these same things. (Apology, Plato, Philosophic Classics page 21) Socrates is also ac cused of denying the existence of the gods, and corrupting the youth. Socrates goes about trying to prove his innocence. The jury that Socrates was tried by was made up of 501 Athenian citizens of all classes