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The Socratic Paradoxes In The Works Of Plato And Aristophanes

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INTRODUCTION ON SOCRATES

To begin with, Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who was born 470 BC in Athens, Greece. Laying the foundations of Western Philosophy, Socrates is still seen as a bewildering figure. There is little information about his writings and he is mostly recognized by his students Plato and Xenophon as well as through the plays of Aristophanes. These plays provide an irreplaceable and vivid portrayal of Socrates ' philosophy and personality.

Concerning his personal life, Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, an Athenian stone mason and sculptor, and Phanerate, a midwife. Socrates was from a middle class family and received basic Greek education and learned his father 's occupation from a very young age. It is …show more content…

SOCRATIC PARADOXES

Many of Socrates ' beliefs have been characterized as paradoxical because they seem to conflict with common sense. The following are among the Socratic Paradoxes:

 No body seeks evil
 No body will commit wrongdoings with his own will
 All virtue is knowledge
 Virtue is sufficient for happiness

The expression 'I know that I know nothing ', is a renowned phrase from Plato 's account of the Greek philosopher Socrates. This quote from Socrates was an opened door to think and analyse. It has many meanings and interpretations.

At one point in time, Socrates ' good friend Chaerephon went to the Oracle at Delphi and asked whether any man was wiser than Socrates. In response, the Oracle said that there was no man who was wiser than Socrates (Apology 21a). In his famous trial, Socrates explains his first reaction to the oracle 's statement: "You see, when I heard these things, I thought to myself as follows: "What can the god be saying? What does his riddle mean? For I 'm only too aware that I 've no claim to being wise in anything either great or small. What can he mean, then, by saying I 'm the wisest? Surely he can 't be lying: that is

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(20c) Socrates mentions that it was human wisdom and nothing more that has allowed himself to know what he knows. (20d) Socrates even mentions

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This could mean that Socrates had understood, or at least on the way to understanding what is the good and how to obtain it. This interpretation also explain Socrates´s behavior, as recounted by Alcibiades. Socrates spend most of his time either thinking(220D), or talking and philosophizing with others(221D, 222E).He seem to show extreme calmness and unrivaled self control( 221B). He does not desire physical beauty, money,power, or anything else that Alcibiades might be interested in(216E), and seem to only be concerned about giving speeches and

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