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Socrates philosophy essay
Socrates moral philosophy
Socrates philosophy essay
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In the beginning of book VI, Socrates makes a point by saying that philosophers have always been able to see things as they are versus people who see things as they vary and so he asks, who should rule? (484b) Socrates then launches into how philosophers are the ones who love the truth and want nothing and will not stand for anything, but the truth. (485c) It is because of that they should rule and so Socrates is asking for a philosopher-king who will seek nothing but the truth through knowledge and wisdom. This is the most important and boldest claim Plato makes in the defense of philosophy.
For those who understand nothing of the study of philosophy it can often prove confusing as to why one would wish to pursue a career within this art. Philosophy, I have learned, can be difficult, frustrating, complex, and at times challenging to our own moral codes and conducts that we hold as individuals. However, for those who do understand the benefit of the study of philosophy this experience can be liberating and even empowering to a certain extent. It is true that throughout the pursuit of philosophical enlightenment many of our own ideals and creeds may be challenged, although through this confrontation of the self we are enabled to become closer to the truth of things, we may grasp concepts and ideas that which we have never considered
Quote 1 “I have spoken it without concealing anything from you, major or minor, and without glossing over anything. And yet I am virtually certain that it is my very candour that makes enemies for me-which goes to show that I am right” This quote on page 21b is philosophical because Socrates defines the after problem of being honest and open in expressing what they feel. Socrates without any fear from anyone says the truth but, also knows that in this world honesty does not always get on the safe road.
Additionally, I have learned more about how arguments were conducted by Socrates, and how analytical he is about specificity in the answers he receives. It is clear from the text that Socrates is quite hard to please in terms of answering the questions he presents, and will take almost every point made to him to its logical conclusion in a dialectic manner. I have also learned much about Socrates as a person, as he makes it clear that he cares much for the pursuit of knowledge in all of its forms and even cares about the well-being of society as he shows when he sympathizes with Meletus over his concerns that Socrates may be having a negative effect on the people and functioning of
Socrates was a man that was in search of the truth about wisdom. However, it became more then just a search when it brought him to trail of accusations. As a philosopher Socrates was known to overdrawn ideas and to frustrate anyone he was talking to. He is always in search of a better idea and for anyone who has experienced Socrates could assume he is making up his own actualities. This becomes evident in “ Apology” written by Plato, where Socrates was brought in charges for corrupting the minds of the youth and not believing in the Gods.
In order to establish my thesis, I will start by stating and explaining the argument that Socrates presents, I will
I would argue that Socrates is influencing the audience and the people who will read his case to become more philosophical. He has a purpose
Making enemies and becoming the topic of conversation, the Athenians began to view Socrates as a threat to their beliefs and way of life and sought to end it. In order to end this, Socrates was accused of blasphemy (Mod1SlideC7). Socrates’s accusers took him to court and after Socrates did not play their game by asking to be sent into exile, and in the end, he was sentenced to death. After reading the textbook and Plato’s writing influenced by Socrates, I realized that in the period of his life Socrates was indeed truly a threat to the Athens society, because he looked for answers that no one else bothered to find which challenged their culture.
The existence and continual study of Socrates’ philosophy regardless of differing accounts is astonishing in itself since it survived not through the specific philosopher, but through other people. Which is a testament of the impact that a man, such as Socrates, can make. When we think of Plato, who is regarded as a father of western philosophy, we are quick to think of his major work The Republic, his student Aristotle, and his writing on Socrates. (We think of his writings on Socrates as mere footnotes in philosophical thought without examining them.) “Nothing comes from nothing,” Parmenides proudly claimed, and this philosophical doctrine applies to Plato’s thought.
By questioning the system itself and the people who make it up, Socrates introduced a new way of thinking, which we refer to as the Socratic method. Following his death, various branches of philosophy sprang from his absence. Prior to him, the main questions that philosophy dealt with were things like metaphysics and epistemology. After Socrates, the branch that we call ethics began to prosper and evolve. “The Apology” is still taught today because it serves as a basis for one to start to understand themselves as well as highlighting the need to question one’s
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.
Stephen King, a Truly Great American Author By Sophie Callaway A prolific American writer, Stephen King, has impacted at least three generations of readers with his novels of horror and fantasy. King’s ability to connect with his readers comes from his attention of current events, popular fears, and the honestly of his characters. As an author, King seems to understand the way his characters think and reason. Whether he is narrating as a high school prom queen, a teenage boy, a mad dog, or an inanimate object, King aptly delivers a variety of true and vital character for his multitudes of demanding fans.
Socrates lived a unique existence compared to the Athenians with whom Socrates shared the city. Socrates had seemingly different goals than his contemporaries and led a life that many simply did not and could not understand. At his core Socrates believed one ought to live virtuously above all else. Socrates explains this himself, saying, “…that the most important thing is not life, but the good life” (Crito, 48b). As this quote shows, an important byproduct of this belief is that the preservation of life cannot be viewed as the single most important thing.
Philosophical thinking uses three acts of the mind: understanding, judgement, and reason. In order to have a sound argument all of the concepts must be applied. Socrates didn’t want to please the people by saying or doing what they wanted him to say or do. Socrates thought it was not important to seek wealth or fame; he was concerned with truth and virtue. He wanted to create an impact on humanity by relying on the truth and shining a light in people’s lives, even if they put him on trial.
The two philosophers believed strongly in the concept of eudaimonia, which is basic human well-being and goodness (Mastin, 2008). Much of Socrates’ ethics was built around this concept, which led to his ethical code becoming basically objective. Socrates’ ethics were based on something of a knowledge/ignorance dichotomy. He believed that people act immorally but they do not act this way intentionally. Like all animals, Socrates believed that we act in and seek out what is in our best interests.