Socrates

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the debate regarding the religious beliefs of Socrates. The paper argues, by providing evidence, that Socrates was a monotheist. The writer uses examples from the life and works of Socrates and compares them to the life and works of Jesus Christ to provide evidence, that despite other suggestions, Socrates believed in one God.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
His Life
Comparing to Jesus
The Confusion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"While there is much evidence that Socrates was a monotheist there are people who point to the fact that he sometimes referenced plural Gods in his teachings to claim he was in fact a polytheist. At first glance there appears to be some weight behind such an argument. However, when one takes a closer look one can see that the two are not intertwined. Socrates used the plural referral to Gods in his teaching attempts. When speaking to those who believed in many Gods he would respectfully respond in the discussion with their preferred deity name within was the plural version or "Gods". He was also known to use the plural version of the word in metaphorical discussion. The fact remains however, that whenever he spoke of his own ambitions and the decisions that he made regarding his life he spoke of ONE divine voice providing him with the guidance and the calling of his mission."

Sample of Sources Used:

• (Zoroastrianism http://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_2_section_5.html)
• (Philosophyhttp://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_1_section_5.html)
• Reflections on Jesus and Socrates: Word and Silence Paul Gooch. Yale University Press 1996. xii, 308.
• Spring of Life - H. Roger Bothwell http://religionworld.org/dd/archiv4/2511.htm
• Socrates Meets Jesus: History's Greatest Questioner Confronts the Claims of Christ (Paperback) InterVarsity Press (January 2002)

More papers on Socrates:

• Term Paper # 135758 : "The Guilt of Socrates"
• Essay # 86562 : "Plato and Socrates"
• Essay # 6193 : "Socrates and the Concept of Justice"
• Analytical Essay # 86480 : "Socrates and Plato's 'The Apology'"

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