Abstract
In the dialogue "Charmides", Socrates explores the definition of temperance. The paper explains that, to the Greeks, temperance represented both an inner order of the soul and a kind of self-aware restraint; the two are linked together in a whole person who is temperate in body, soul, and action. At the outset, Socrates says that before he can presume to cure Charmides of his headache, he must establish the condition of his soul.

From the Paper
"Although the discussion ends in perplexity and no satisfactory definition of temperance is arrived at, it seems that temperance requires knowledge of good and evil, but that without a context, one cannot know whether ones actions will result in good or evil. (With the historical perspective of Critias and Charmides subsequent intemperance, it seems possible that this might be one of the points that Plato had in mind for this dialogue: Even someone as discerning as Socrates cannot predict the future or determine character based on appearance alone.)"

Tags:critias, platonic, self-knowing

Abstract
In the first chapter of "Plato's Socrates", Brickhouse and Smith undertake a discussion of Socrates' methodology. The paper shows how the authors examine what has become know today as the Socratic method and argue that although this method - as understood in the modern sense - is based on the practices of Socrates, the man himself would have refuted any claims that his practices indeed constitute a method.

From the Paper
"However, there are alternatives to the title of craft: flattery, divine power, divine lot, inspiration and experience. Socrates' method could never be called flattery - it was designed to undermine and expose flaws. He did not believe that he had any special power to carry out his studies, nor did his divine monitor - the daimonion - assist him in examinations. Furthermore, Socrates insisted that anyone could initiate the elenctic method, and no particular experience was required before undertaking the routine. From all of this fact, the authors conclude that Socrates would not have believed that his questioning constituted a certain type of methodology."

Tags:elenchos, techne, charmides, xenophon