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Socrates 'Wisdom In The Apology'

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In the reading of The Apology, Socrates demonstrates a level of wisdom redirecting our original perspectives on thought entirely. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Plato) What lies here in this quote is the beginning of Socrates’ many examples of how he lived and died exactly the way he wanted to. The Apology encompasses the importance of question and continuing to examine the aspects and issues of life you believe in. An exceptional discovery of the mind was made through a theory of wisdom in which Socrates sought out to define. Socrates was a spirit of great question and determination, living with the perspective that we all know is true, but never truly acknowledged. The human intention in all things is with the knowledge of a …show more content…

Socrates recognized the theory that the thought of death adds to life, through the aspect of value. If human life was eternal, then we would have no sense of urgency to actually live, and make the most of our life as knowing there is an end motivates us to do. This concept can be related to the topic of cloning, which in a way does the same thing. If science is able to create another version of yourself, then where is the value of being one of a kind and having a timeline? This is one worry that Socrates never allowed himself to have, he always had the courage to live his own way, without leaving a trace of similarity to any other person. Even in the instance of choosing life or death, Socrates chooses death in order to maintain his preservation of everything he believed in. Socrates was condemned to death for not recognizing the gods of Athens therefore corrupting the youth, and is deemed to either death, silence, or banishment. Yet boldly, he chooses to die living his own way, rather than live, living someone else’s way. Socrates questioned the states gods and held to his own, which he accepted to be the right thing to do for himself. In this unfortunate fate planned ahead, Socrates decides that his definition of death is simply just an “endless sleep”, nothing different than a long and peaceful slumber. Throughout his journey on the earth, Socrates has never failed to pursue his own passions and beliefs and live the way he wanted to, a life full of

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How Did Socrates Attempt To Appease The Apology

630 Words | 3 Pages

He has passion for his beliefs and values, and would rather die than give them up. When presented with the idea of the jury releasing him he states “as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy” (Plato 32). This shows that Socrates does not believe what he has done and what he believes in is wrong; he will continue to do what he had been put on trial for if released. This is the exact opposite of what one would say to appease the jury. Socrates is on trial because some believe what he was doing was wrong, by refusing to acknowledge that he was wrong, this speech contradicts our modern day idea of an apology.

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The Good Life In Plato's The Apology

1902 Words | 8 Pages

One of Socrates’ friends, Chaerephon, asked if there was anyone wiser than Socrates, to which the oracle replied, “no one” (21a, 85). Socrates, knowing he was not very wise, sought to investigate the claim (21b, 85). Already, the reader can begin to understand how an examined life, is a good life. Socrates is unwilling to accept something as truth, just because it is said by a person in a position of power and respect. He chooses to investigate the claim, to find an understanding of how it can be that someone believes he is the wisest person.

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Evaluating Socrates Claim In The Apology

835 Words | 4 Pages

Anish Yonjan Philosophy 1301-73426 Prof. Marcos Arandia Feb. 19, 2017 Explain and evaluate Socrates' claim in the Apology that "the unexamined life is not worth living for a human being," and briefly analyze and discuss the particular method he uses to discover the truth (i.e., dialectics or the Socratic Method), using at least two examples from Plato's Euthyphro and/or Apology. Do you agree that a human being cannot live a fully satisfying life if he or she remains ignorant, like the slavish prisoners in Plato's cave? Why or why not? In the Plato’s Apology, Socrates claims that the “unexamined life is not worth living for a human being”.

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How Does Crito Punish Socrates

657 Words | 3 Pages

Socrates proposes to dine in the Prytaneum even after jury charged him with death penalty just to show how he valued his life. This shows that he compared himself with victorious Olympic athletes who portray success and perfection of life. People need to examine their lives and the world to understand the value of life, to avoid acting without reason. To get the destinations and set the goals, people should examine their lives. By facing the challenges, people will have a better understanding of meaningful life and will more believe in their faith and also to themselves.

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Apology And Crito Quote Analysis

649 Words | 3 Pages

Socrates believes that to have a good life you must believe and act on certain ideas. In Apology and Crito Socrates tells us about how we should obey the laws but "it’s pretty certain the god who is wise" for "to go into exile is to disobey the god" (23a+37e). Socrates explains to us how no matter what, and to not let money and power affect how we act. He claims that "most people neither know--nor

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Arguments For Plato's Apology

376 Words | 2 Pages

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.

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Comparing Socrates Apology And The Crito

1678 Words | 7 Pages

With the Apology, and the Crito, Socrates comes to delve into his many teachings and finds himself put to death with the words of wisdom that have been passed down generation after generation. Socrates for many in this present day is a man of many words and great teachings, but anyone but Socrates thought differently, in Athens people thought of him as an annoyance rather than an integral part of society. As Socrates stood in front of the counsel of judges, he stood for what he thought was right and never changed opinion of himself or of his words. That’s why Socrates is still talked about in classrooms everywhere today.

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Analyzing Socrates The Apology

753 Words | 4 Pages

Reading Response: The Apology Analysis “Why does Socrates believe himself to be innocent?” The Apology is a record of Socrates defense to his jurors who had charged him with impiety. A major part of his defense, is that the Oracle at Delphi proclaims him to be the wisest man alive. Later Socrates relays a second message of the Oracle that explains the reason that he is wise. “God only is wise... the wisdom of men is little or nothing”.

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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates 'Apology'

1314 Words | 6 Pages

Socrates was a greek philosopher who found himself in trouble with his fellow citizens and court for standing his grounds on his new found beliefs from his studies about philosophical virtue, justice, and truth. In “Apology” written by Plato, Socrates defended himself in trial, not with the goal of escaping the death sentence, but with the goal of doing the right thing and standing for his beliefs. With this mindset, Socrates had no intention of kissing up to the Athenians to save his life. Many will argue that Socrates’ speech was not very effective because he did not fight for his life, he just accepted the death sentence that he was punished with. In his speech he said, “But now it’s time to leave, time for me to die and for you to live.”

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The Corruption Of Socrates In Plato's Apology

560 Words | 3 Pages

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.

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Wisdom In Plato's Apology

298 Words | 2 Pages

For this week's journal entry, I would like to bring up the idea of "wisdom" in reference to Plato's Apology.  Personally, I find that the way in which Socrates defends is wisdom is admirable, and although it leads to the verdict of him being killed, I think that this decision and the reaction by Socrates helps define wisdom. Socrates, in essence, says that he does not fear death because he is wise.  No one knows what death is -- perhaps it may be the best thing a person gets to experience. However, a person that is unwise would approach death into thinking that it is the worst thing that can happen in life.

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Apology Socrates Apology Analysis

1012 Words | 5 Pages

Socrates believed that you must never disobey the state so he stood by his commitment to morality even though it cost him his

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Analysis Of Socrates: Four Dialogues, By Plato

1595 Words | 7 Pages

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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Private Life In Socrates's Apology

1021 Words | 5 Pages

In Apology, Socrates faces possible execution as he stands trial in front of his fellow Athenian men. This jury of men must decide whether Socrates has acted impiously against the gods and if he has corrupted the youth of Athens. Socrates claims in his defense that he wants to live a private life, away from public affairs and teachings in Athens. He instead wants to focus on self-examination and learning truths from those in Athens through inquiry. Socrates argues that "a [man] who really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public, life if [he] is to survive for even a short time" (32a).

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Life Is Not Worth Living In Socrates 'Apology'

592 Words | 3 Pages

In the Apology, Socrates states that the “unexamined life is not worth living” which for him was his decision on whether he wanted to live therefore discontinuing his passion for philosophy or be sentenced to death. For him to choose death over life simply because he wouldn’t be able to live out the rest of his life doing the one thing he so clearly values more than life, is something I don’t think I could’ve done easily. Yet for Socrates, he had embraced uncertainty and found comfort in that uncertainty to fully rely on his already discovered wisdom and curiosity. Going back to the statement itself, he went to the most extreme situation to make his point. Instead of simply stating that life would be less meaningful or less valuable, he goes straight and clear to the fact that to

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