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Plato's Apology Definition Essay

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Part 1: Definitions and Examples 1. Epistemology- can be defined as the breaking down and interpretation of knowledge • Example: In the Euthyphro, Socrates questions what the meaning of piety is, and why certain actions are pious. 2. Metaphysics- defined as the study of the (and the breaking down of reality into) different categories of reality • Example: Hobbes claimed that all things must be material in nature, a result of them having physical presence in the world (materialism). 3. Ethics- the study/assessment of morality (what is moral and what is immoral) • Example: Are we justified in administering the death penalty to criminals? Is it justified to lie about your actions if there will be no effect on others in doing so? 4. A Priori- justification …show more content…

Plato’s Apology- In Plato’s apology, Socrates is being tried for impiety against the gods. He attempts to prove to the jury of his peers that his devotion to philosophy is not meant to disprove the existence of the gods, but to piously follow them by bettering himself and all others around him. 9. Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1- Every action is done to achieve some form of good, and the greatest good/most ultimate end achievable is happiness. Happiness is our natural function. 10. Genealogy of Morals, Essay 1- Nietzsche questions the origin of our established values, claiming that where they came from must be evaluated. He believes that the values humans hold became reactionary, with the original reasons for those values being good getting lost over time (the true meaning being lost) Part 3: Short …show more content…

Ethical reflection is established upon questioning the meaning behind, or source of, various concepts of morality, as well as assessing their different functions. In Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals, ethical reflection can be seen in the form of questioning the origin of established values. This is particularly important in relation to my own concept of ethical reflection because it shows that Nietzsche is attempting to study deeper into the heart of what makes our values moral or immoral (innately good, or externally motivated). Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics does well at considering the intent behind our actions. In this text, Aristotle establishes that happiness is the ultimate end which we all seek. He goes on to explain that to define what true happiness is, we must first understand what function we have as humans. This in-depth analysis of happiness at its roots solidifies my belief that ethical reflection requires you to also question what purpose any given concept of morality has to

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In the Apology by Plato, Socrates defends himself against his accusers in court, and begins by declaring that he is not an especially great speaker but that he only speaks the truth. In this, he tells his accusers that they should not fear him but only the truth itself. In the depiction of Socrates' last speech, he makes a bold claim that he has been deemed the wisest man in Athens by the god of Delphi ( Plato, ., Jowett, n.d. ). He goes on to explain that while he searched for those that thought themselves wise,

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Euthyphro tries to explain him that he was doing the same as Zeus did to his father and therefore being pious. But Socrates argues that it is just an example and not an explanation. He tries again and says what gods like is pious and what they dislike is not. But Socrates points out the fallacy in that argument that one god might not agree with another to which he replies in his third attempt what all gods like is pious and what they all hate is impious. Here, in this example we can see that how he searches for a concrete and complete definition for being pious.

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Comparing Socrates In The Apology, Crito, And The Republic

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The version of Socrates presented in both The Apology, Crito, and The Republic could very well be two different versions of Socrates as presented by Plato. However, both versions of Socrates have one thing in common: they both value the importance of philosophy and they both defend philosophy as something that is important to humanity. The Apology is Socrates defending not only himself, but also philosophy as an area of study that could be useful to the city of Athens. Socrates is trying to defend himself and his study and he tries to distance himself from the sophists in that they charge for money.

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Plato’s Apology is in the words of Socrates. The apology explains what Socrates though of death as he awaited his death after being condemned for not believing in God. He believed after death, one would either go to another world or be in a state of nothingness. He had the theory of death being a place where one would learn about life and talk to people that no longer walk the Earth. He supports his argument that death is a gain by explaining that he, Socrates, will get to speak to famous poets and past heroes.

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1314 Words | 6 Pages

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1021 Words | 5 Pages

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1376 Words | 6 Pages

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