Plato and Socrates

Paper Summary:

"Socrates' most outstanding characteristic was that he believed he was wise only to the extent that that he knew nothing. In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy (Kemerling 1). The life of Socrates is synonymous with the search for justice and truth. Socrates insists that to live justly is the highest good, even when (indeed, especially when) it is inexpedient or in conflict with our perceived advantage (Taylor 22)."

From the Paper:

Reason: Not enough to work with, Plato is not mentioned in the abstract.
Socrates' most outstanding characteristic was that he believed he was wise only to the extent that that he knew nothing. "In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy" (Kemerling 1). The life of Socrates is synonymous with the search for justice and truth. "Socrates insists that to live justly is the highest good, even when (indeed, especially when) it is inexpedient or in conflict with our perceived advantage" (Taylor 22).

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