Socrates

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Socrates' philosophy, particularly as it is used in Plato's writings to further his own philosophical goals. It describes Socrates' belief that hypotheses are necessary to explain his ideas relating to the intellectual good, as the visible reflects the invisible. The paper presents examples of how his philosophy is explained in his writings.

From the Paper:

"In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle criticizes the Platonic hypothesis of ideas in two respects: on the one hand, the idea that goods are pursued and loved for themselves, and on the other that they are referred to as good in "reference to a single Form". Aristotle argues that no good can be pursued simply for its own sake. The reason for this is the fact that all human life is integrated with the world around it. Nothing, not even the good, can exist separately from their points of reference. Intelligence and sight for example are enjoyed as good because they enhance the human experience of areas of knowledge and physical beauty that can be seen. Aristotle then argues that, to call something good simply to relate to the Idea of good, would make that very idea empty, because it is meaningless."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, trans. W.D. Ross. http://www.constitution.org/ari/ethic_00.htm
• Hooker, Richard. "Greek Philosophy: Plato". 1996. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM
• Plato. The Republic, Book VI and VII. Copyright by Richard Hooker, 1996. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/ALLEGORY.HTM

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