In the scene in St 57A-59A, Phaedo explains Socrates’ death and last hours to Echecrates. He starts by confirming that he was with Socrates on the day that he died. Echecrates asks him why Socrates’ death was postponed to a long time after his trial. Phaedo explains that the postponing of Socrates’ death was purely coincidental. Socrates’ trial happened at a culturally significant time of the year for the Athenians.
Sydney Leopard Philosophy 105 3-5-2018 What is pious and impious and who, on the off chance that anybody, is to decide equity? In The Trial and Death of Socrates, Plato relates the dialog amongst Crito and Socrates in his correctional facility cell. Crito is doing what he supposes is just and intends to convince Socrates to escape execution. Socrates, however, doesn 't rush to take Crito 's offer.
In general, I do agree with your analysis, Socrates intentions were to leave a mark in society. In other words, to have individuals then and now take some time to “think” and seek greater knowledge. In my opinion, I can have concluded that his argument in trial serve not just as a plead to prove his innocence but as an invitation to follow his philosophy. Plato’s documentation of that event proves that Socrates did not die in vain that some was hearing his words and has cause conscience of themselves. Additionally, it can be seen that Socrates came to the wisdom of knowing himself and defending that knowledge to the
No matter which path death is, death is a gain. One will either be a peaceful sleep, or a journey to another world filled with intelligent people and knowledge. He had support to his theory, but only talked about conversing with people from the past. The apology is repetitive in the last two paragraphs because Socrates desired to talk to all these different people. He did not clarify as to why living on Earth was cruel and that death was the only answer.
Socrates could easily be viewed as suicidal due the portrayal put forth in Plato’s Five Dialogues. First, there is the Apology. Numerous times Socrates was given the opportunity to defend himself in a manner that what would be persuading to the jury, but he seemed to have sullied each and every chance. He gave a compelling argument for why his actions were not the crimes he was accused of committing, yet did so with harsh logic with never an appeal to the emotions. He believes such appeals, for instance bringing his family to court, would be beneath him while acknowledging it would have aided his case with, “you will more readily convict a man who preforms these pitiful dramatics in court… than a man who keeps quiet” (Plato 39).
The first reason Socrates gives for accepting his death sentence is the fact that Athens has provided him with education. (Crito page 15) Although Socrates thinks this is a just reason, Plato would disagree because Socrates could have become corrupted and bad without proper education. According to Plato, Socrates would have the traits of a philosopher king. Socrates loves the truth, hates the false, is moderate and courageous. (The Republic 485a-486b)
He also believes that it is not difficult to refrain from death, but it is difficult to stay away from evil since it surrounds us all. Doing something evil and sinful will torment one’s soul forever, even after death. Socrates believes
“…if I disobeyed the oracle because I was afraid of death: then I should be fancying that I was wise when I was not wise. For this fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being the appearance of the unknown: since no one knows whether death, which they in their fear apprehend to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good” (Apology, 29a-29b). This potent statement not only highlights Socrates’ wisdom, it effectively makes use of his belief that he is wise because he knows nothing. By saying that he knows nothing of the afterlife, it gives him the reason to illustrate to his audience that he cannot fear what he does not know.
In Euthyphro of The Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato, Socrates is visiting the court of Athens to learn about their system and customs. During his investigation, Socrates notices that Euthyphro is passing and engages in a conversation with him by questioning his actions. From this dialogue, it 's discovered that Socrates is being charged with corrupting the young and not believing in the gods of the city. Later, in the Apology, Socrates presents an argument against these accusations but it’s found guilty because of his moral beliefs and his inability of code-switching resulting in his sentence to death. Lastly, Socrate beliefs regarding the death penalty and the laws of Athens are revealed in Crito, as he awaits execution.
I decided to choose Jacques Louis David’s The Death of Socrates because the image being displayed showcases the hard decisions one must make to be true to oneself. In David’s painting you can clearly see the struggle that the people around Socrates have with his decision to die. They are all in some form of mourning and some aren’t even looking at him. Socrates has decided to be honest with his beliefs and not give into the desires of the people that are against him. Before he drinks what will cause his death he is giving his last speech, which can be seen in the way that he is raising his finger in air as if to bring attention to what he is saying.
Socrates believed there to be an existence after death. He believed that the great minds of the past all were gathered and conversed over the various plights of man-kind. His acceptance of death as a result of his philosophical beliefs is made clear in the painting by his unusually calm demeanor given the situation he finds himself in, as well as his fearless reach for the chalice of hemlock. It is widely believed throughout the philosophical community that “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates may have shared this belief, and knowing he would no longer be able to examine life as he knew it if he chose exile, chose to die.
Therefore, Socrates was willing to die if it meant that his actions would still be
Stunned into silence, Prince David did not know how to reconcile the tyrant depiction of a man he admired, from the heroic portrayal of a merciful king-who placed his subject's lives above his own. King Albert cupped his son's chin, feeling sickly. His entire body winced from a painful sensation, devouring his lungs. "I-I love you, son," he stammered and glanced in the direction of Prince Michal.
Socrates states that a good philosopher should not fear death, but rather embrace it and look forward to it. This is also where he comes out with the four claims of the separation of the soul and the body. With this point Socrates is trying to explain to Cebes, Simmias, and the others in the room that the soul is everlasting and outlives every body that it is ever in. They agree that the soul is long lasting but does not live forever. This is the end for Socrates as him and Crito head to the bath chamber and return to say goodbye to his three sons and the women of the household.
It comes across to me as impossible that he could possibly find comfort in not knowing. I would not be able to simply tell myself that it’s okay that I don’t know. But since this whole mess was caused because he was trying to disprove the Oracle of Delphi who had said that he was the wisest Athenian, he probably figured that in his 70 years of life he had learned everything he most necessarily needed to know. That being said, death was a whole new unconquered experienced, filled with new philosophies, questions & answers, and new discoveries to be made. Death never scared Socrates, he never feared it in the least bit.
