Socrates and Plato

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on the Socratic method, which unlike most philosophical teachings, seeks to debase beliefs rather than build them up. This paper discusses the views and opinions of both Plato and Socrates in regards to the Socratic method. The writer of this paper contends and explains why readers of Plato's works should be skeptical of his presentation of philosophical notions through the argumentative style, which he attributes to Socrates. This paper discusses the basic philosophy behind the Socratic method, in which Socrates' reliance upon the soul to lead into the discussion of virtue could be attacked upon the assertion that insufficient evidence exists to contend that there are such things as souls. On the other hand, Plato believes that souls must exist because they explain the competing inclinations people can possess. This paper also delves into Plato's and Socrates' roles as philosophers and theorists.

From the Paper:

"However, the chief limitation of the manner by which Socrates is expressed through Plato is that his lessons are no longer personalized with respect to the audience; they are only personal with respect to the characters Plato generates. The power of Socrates' technique is that it forces him to investigate many of his centrally held beliefs simultaneously with the person he is communicating; any questions that arise from his audience, or possible objections to his line of reasoning, must be addressed. This capacity is necessarily lacking when it is placed upon paper because any questions or objections that might be evoked in the reader inevitably go unanswered. For example, when Socrates argues, "So one may say this about everything; all other human activities depend on the soul, and those of the soul itself depend on wisdom if they are to be good."

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