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Socrates Influence On Western Civilization Essay

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W. H. Auden asserted, “Had Greek civilization never existed, we would never have become fully conscious, which is to say that we would never have become, for better or worse, fully human.” This statement is true since, without Greeks, western civilizations would be missing many things that benefit us today. One of many things western civilization benefit from Greek is in the Scientific, medical and philosophy field. Even the arts and the writing in Greek history is an influence in western civilization today. An example is Socrates influence on western civilization.
Socrates was born in Athens the place that was booming in arts, science, and philosophy. According to History.com Staff, Socrates had “...[a] moderate wealth... (History.com Staff)”, yet for some reason whenever Socrates was out in town he was “barefoot[ed], long-haired and unwashed... (History.com Staff)”, which must have been bizarre for the people of Athens that time considering that beauty was held up to such high standards. One of …show more content…

Plato's belief was that “moral virtues are universal and absolute, not relative (Hunt, Martin, Rosenwein, Smith 2010).” he believed that it was the way people are whether they were good or bad, and that nothing can be changed about it. Plato was the first man to believe that the person's spirit is different from the body itself. According to David Davidson “Platonism is part of the vital structure of Christian theology (Davidson)." Which helped influence Christianity since Plato believed that there was a perfect world for people, which is what the Christian believed to be heaven. Plato was not Christian but Platonism did help people understand Christianity a bit better. Like Socrates, Plato also tried to keep his teaching very vague so that the readers can view their own strength or weakness in their own

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The Ancient Greeks were affected in many ways by the things around and in the country called Greece. The geography of the land has had a great influence on Greece and the inhabitants. Throughout the history of Greece, there came more effects to the people who lived there. Some of these effects on the Ancient Greek civilization were positive and some were negative. Most of these effects were beneficial to the Greeks.

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David Platt has influenced the American church for over the course of a decade now with his unapologetic and unashamed interpretation and representation of the word of God. He became known as the youngest megachurch pastor after he was hired as head pastor at the church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. Along with being a successful pastor he also founded Secret Church, which is where believers join in unity at The Church at Brook Hills, for roughly six hours at a time and are stripped of minor comforts and study through scripture together. Its purpose is to give believers an opportunity to learn how to make disciples of all nations more effectively and with a greater confidence. Of his many accomplishments, he is also the President of

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In Plato's Gorgias, it is apparent that Socrates has no desire to be a good statesman as it is defined in the eyes of the Athenians. His calculation is that Athenian rhetoricians place no reliance on facts or truth, nor are these their aim. Instead, they rely on the illusion of knowledge, and this morally weakens both themselves and their audiences. It is clear however, that if he wishes, Socrates is able to match most or all of the other statesmen in Athens, as is clearly indicated by his very eloquent speech which ends the dialogue. Additionally, under his own definition of a good statesman, it is evident that Socrates is more than qualified.

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Here is my first piece of evidence to support my point. “I happen to be a gift of the god to the city; and this is how you can tell: Unlike most people, I have neglected all my own interests, and I’ve put up with this private neglect for so many years, while always attending to your business.” (Lines 108-111) In the quote stated above, Socrates claims that even with the annoyance people found in him, he pursued in his mission to help the people. Even though he had to give up his interests and hobbies, he did not give up his mission and focused on his work with the people all those years.

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Introduction The history of Western civilization was influenced by the Ancient Greece in more than a few ways, for instance, they inspired various achievements that shaped the early foundation of civilization in the west, and other parts of the world. Some of these developments arose during renaissance and industrial revolution, and impacted on various aspects of the modern world including philosophy, politics, education, and religion. Essentially, the Greeks accomplished great feats in these aspects of life, and the Ancient Greek Culture is popularly known as the birthplace of Western civilization. The purpose of this essay is to analyze how the ancient Greek’s political structure played an important role in the world history considering the fact that it had a noteworthy influence on Western Civilization.

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For thousands of people, what is holy and what is moral comes from religious texts that act as a guide for individuals for how they ought to live their lives. This idea of holiness and morality for many is deeply rooted in the understanding that it originates with God; it is a necessary condition for it to be binding. However, what if what is holy and moral didn’t originate from God’s goodness, rather it comes from other mediums and is itself good thus being approved by God? This idea of existence and thought is a question that can be outlined in Plato’s, The Euthyphro.

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Socrates started his life as an average Athen citizen. His parents worked, making an honest living. But as Socrates grew up, he began to realize that his mind questioned things and wondered how come no one else questioned the same things or at least think about the answers to the questions that were not answered. So, as his mind kept wandering, he began to acknowledge the questions that were not answered and sought for those answers. He ended up believing and teaching things to other people, whether it went against the way the Athen government or not, he still continued his work.

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According to Socrates perspective, the democracy of Athens was corrupt and even though they courts were made in such a way that everyone was judged fairly, it wasn’t such because there were no rules or principles set forth. When a person was brought to court in the Athenian court and the person spoke against the jurors or offended them, he or she could be prosecuted based on that. In summary, judgment was passed based on emotion rather than on justice. In the Apology, Socrates stated, “my present request seems a just one, for you to pay no attention to my manner of speech-

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Ancient Greece was devided in two periods: Hellenistic and Classical Greece. The Hellenistic period covers the time of ancient Greek (Hellenic) history and Mediterranean history between the passing of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the rise of the Roman Empire as connoted by the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and the consequent triumph of Ptolemaic Egypt the next year. Classical Greece was a time of around 200 years ( 5th and 4th centuries BC) in Greek culture. This Classical period saw the addition of quite a bit of cutting edge Greece by the Persian Empire and its resulting autonomy. Classical Greece affected the Roman Empire and on the establishments of western human advancement.

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Socrates is quoted as stating, “An unexamined life is a life not worth living” (38 a). Socrates was a founding figure of western philosophy, and a stable for many ideas. He lived in Athens, Greece teaching his students, like Plato, questioning politics, ethical choices, and many other things in Greek society. In the Trial and death of Socrates: Four Dialogues by Plato, it explores the abstract questioning Socrates had towards many of the normal social properties, which led to his trial, resulting in his death. The most important aspects discussed in the dialogues is the questioning of what is pious and impious, what it means to be wise, and good life.

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Today virtually every child grows up learning that the Earth orbits the Sun, but four centuries ago the heliocentric solar system, where the Earth orbits the Sun, was so controversial that the Catholic Church classified it as a crime of heresy (UCLA). In the age of early philosophy, Socrates’ is well known. Between the Socratic method and his line of successful students, Socrates’ makes the history books. Galileo Galilei turned astronomers on their heads when he discovered moons around Jupiter. Giordano Bruno didn’t back down from any of his brilliant and different ideas.

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