Abstract This paper examines the conflicts between the dialogues of "Allegory of the Cave" and "Divided Line" from Socrates' works "Apology" and "Crito". It looks at how in "Apology", Socrates stipulates that if the court would discharge him on the condition that he no longer practice philosophy, he would not obey the law and how in the "Crito" he argues that the laws must be obeyed, firstly because if they are not then a city cannot function and secondly because escaping would constitute and unjust act. It analyses whether it is possible for Socrates to disobey the court's ruling in the "Apology" and argue that one must never disobey a law in the "Crito" .
From the Paper "Socrates also likens the relationship between citizen and state to that of child and parent (Crito, 50d). To avoid punishment would be akin to that of not abiding by the decision one's parents made, effectively claiming that the state had no right to judge one in the first place. Socrates points out that if one thought this then one is free to leave the state, but by remaining there they effectively sign a contract to abide by the state's rulings (Crito, 52e). Socrates points out that he is not an equal to the state's laws, but an inferior and must abide by their decisions."
Abstract This essay concerns the Greek philosopher Socrates and his definition of a good person. The author presents the argument that Socrates? definition is solid, but his defense is flawed. The author supports his argument with examples from Socrates' "The Apology".
From the Paper "The Greek Philosopher Socrates claimed that no harm or evil can come to a good person. He argued this stance first of all by defining the characteristics of a good person. He believed in five basic traits of virtue that a person must exemplify in order to be good: justice, courage, temperance, piety, and wisdom. Of these five, all are centered on wisdom; that is, each trait must be understood somehow through wisdom (ECP 506). For example, Socrates lived to a relatively ripe age of around seventy years, and, by the time of his death, had gained a certain level of wisdom that taught him the importance of piety, temperance, courage, and justice. Thus, by gaining wisdom because he lived so long, he was able to relate the importance of the afore-mentioned traits. Overall, Socrates defines a good person as having virtue, wisdom or knowledge, and a certain goodness (or improvement) of the soul."
Presents an argument that Socrates was guilty of one of the charges leveled at him in the famous trial brought against him by the democratic office of Athens.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 26.95
Abstract The dialogue by Plato titled "The Apology", is more or less the trial of Socrates by the democratic office of Athens. As is generally known, Socrates is condemned to death. Although he presents a good defence for himself, the dialogue nevertheless results in the establishment of his guilt. In the dialogue in question, Socrates is charged with two major violations against the City-State or Athens. The charges which were made, were that he was 'teaching what was above and below the earth' (challenging the religion of the state), and that he was 'corrupting the youth'. It will be argued that although he was innocent of challenging the existence of the 'gods', it will also be argued that he can be understood as guilty with respect to corrupting the youth. His guilt will be presented in terms of the challenges which he makes to the ideas surrounding democracy.
Abstract This paper explores the Socratic philosophy of life in Plato's "Apology". The author contends that Socrates' approach to life was based on his thirst for knowledge. The paper demonstrates this claim by citing examples that demonstrate Socrates' use of logic and rhetoric in the pursuit of truth.
From the Paper "Socrates was the most important philosopher of the fifth century B.C. His dedication to the analysis of the world and human actions through careful reasoning transformed philosophy and resonates through the mists of antiquity to our modern day existence..."
Abstract This six page paper examines the Apology of Socrates. The paper describes how, in the Apology, Socrates declared that he could not be harmed by his fellow Athenians if he possessed the qualities of virtue and wisdom. It then discusses the concept that one can be punished physically, but if he possesses those virtues, his soul cannot be harmed.
From the Paper "Wisdom, Virtue, and the Good Life: An Analysis of Socrates In the Apology, the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates declared that he could not be harmed by his fellow Athenians if he possessed the qualities of virtue and wisdom. This statement reflected Socrates' belief that possessing virtue and wisdom protected him from any harm to his character and soul. His critics and enemies in Athens could punish him physically by sending him into exile or executing him, but they could not take away his virtue, his self-respect, or his soul, which are the most important things anyone possesses."
Abstract The paper is a philosophical discussion about Socrates' belief in the importance of the state over the individual, or individual family interests. The paper comments that Socrates is unwavering in this opinion, to the point that he accepts his own death sentence and does not try to flee. Commenting on this, the paper continues by relating that the conflict between the 'Apology' and the 'Crito', in many minds is that Socrates contradicts himself. He does this by stating in the 'Apology' that if there were a law made that stopped him from practising philosophy he would break it. The paper then goes on to discuss why, in fact, there is no contradiction.
From the Paper "Through the whole of the Apology Socrates stresses the importance of remaining true to the process of the trial, as the process of the trial is just, as it is a reflection of the power and wisdom of the state, even when applied by unjust men, seeking their own interests. Furthermore, the oaths of the judges are sacred, and should therefore not be swayed with entreaties and persuasive behavior on the part of the accused, as this goes against the nature of the self and the validity of the state. In the Apology Socrates is reported to have said to those who would question why he did not act as other men and defend himself with family and emotional spectacle."
Abstract The paper shows how Socrates' philosophy on life and death is seen so clearly through Plato's "Apology". It describes the event where Socrates is charged of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens and shows how in his speech Socrates gives his reasons for his so called Socratic method, and the impassioned self-defense of Socratic way of life.
From the Paper "Thus for Socrates a wise man is the one who knows about his ignorance, because he knows that he does not know anything. That is why we never see Socrates advocating anything in any of his dialogues and he doesn't expose his interlocutor's ignorance in order to prove himself right or about his own doctrine. Socrates say that he doesn't know the answer either and that he is questioning that someone might provide him with better answers. Some take this claim to ignorance to be irony but I think there is strong evidence that he is sincere in his search for truth."
Abstract In this paper, this exegesis argues and logically validates the innocence of Socrates for unwillingly corrupting the Athenian youth. The illogical and unethical legal proceedings against Socrates do not explain accurately how Socrates has willingly corrupted the youth, since Meletus cannot educate him on his wrong doings. This validates Socrates argument on the greater good toward others, and how one must be consciously aware of dangerous and harmful acts against society to be brought to the criminal courts.
From the Paper "This exegesis of 'The Apology' by Plato will examine the logical argument by Socrates against Meletus's charge of against the philosopher of corrupting the Athenian youth. In this manner, the objective analysis of the exegesis will examine why Socrates does not willingly corrupt the youth, and that Meletus's charge presupposes illegal application of the law before Socrates can be educated for ignorance in wrongdoings. The basis of the first lines of this section of the Apology directly relate to the supposition that Socrates does not willingly harm the youth of Athens in his philosophical teachings to them. "
Abstract The paper states that within the "Apology" and the "Crito" several points of extreme importance to Socrates are outlined regarding the nature of civic duty. Some have said that the two works contradict one another in that in the "Apology", Socrates states that he would break the law if there were a law made that said he could no longer practice philosophy and in the "Crito" he outlines the dire responsibility to uphold the laws of the state, and in this case allow himself to be put to death, rather than fleeing. This paper argues that there is no contradiction in the messages of Socrates, as he is consistently alluding to the idea that the laws, though just, are being applied unjustly, in his conviction.
From the Paper "Socrates, believes that his responsibility to Athens, and to god is to maintain the calling set for him, he does not say he would break the law if he was to be given the option of leaving the court never to practice philosophy again, he says he would rather die than live a life contrary to God by not practicing philosophy for the betterment of the world, and of Athens. In other words, his honor is to serve God and Athens and accepting such a sentence would be contrary to both. 'Wherever a man has taken up a position because he considers it best, or has been posted there by his commander, that is where I believe he should remain, steadfast in danger, taking no account at all of death or of anything else rather than dishonor." (p. 380) Socrates believes that the people who are accusing and convicting him in his trial are abandoning the truth and therefore living contrary to God and to the state of their own souls."
Abstract This paper discusses the "Apology" by Plato. It describes the court case where Socrates is being charged with corrupting the youth. The paper goes on the elaborate that in doing so, it is seen that Socrates is facing a moral dilemma. This dilemma is elaborated on, as well as the consequences of his choices.
From the Paper "The next related point is that laws can change. Laws are not fixed and do not remain the same forever. This means that if someone has a problem with a law, there is an opportunity for that person to take action that can result in the law being changes. This is an opportunity that Socrates had. As noted, he was aware that he was disobeying moral laws. However, he also acted as if the laws did not exist and failed to recognize the reality of them. In doing so, he lost his opportunity to change them. In doing so, he also rejected the fact that he does exist as part of a larger system and ignored the fact that the laws still exist for everyone else, regardless of whether he accepts them."
Abstract This paper examines how the dialogues of Aristophanes? "Clouds", "The Apology" and "The Republic", demonstrate how one can get closer to Socrates' real essence. It looks at how Socrates lived and died according to his values and moral beliefs and even though he knew he had been unjustly accused and convicted, he was willing to die because the state court was the law and the law of the land must be upheld. It examines how his life had been spent teaching that all men were innately good and must continue to be good even when the forces of evil were against them. It shows how Socrates was the first philosopher to make a clear distinction between body and soul and how his examination of such moral ideas as piety and courage represent knowledge of moral ideas that are necessary to act morally.
From the Paper "In Aristophanes' Clouds, one of Socrates students introduces Strepsiades to Socrates? method of learning which involved the curriculum, and research interests. After praising Socrates' ingenuity, however, the student unexpectedly announces that Socrates was recently deprived of a great thought by a gecko. This puzzles Strepsiades and she begins to ask questions concerning the gecko. The student explains that a gecko dropped its bodily waste onto Socrates from the eaves of the school while Socrates was gazing upward, open-mouthed, and absorbed in astronomical observations. The story leads one to believe that Socrates is questioning knowledge and is led to the gecko. While deep in thought, Socrates has his mouth open in anticipation of discovery and thus, the gecko delivers falling excrement into his mouth. "
Abstract The paper examines the "The Apology" where Plato describes how
Socrates was attempting to defend himself and his conduct at his
trial in 399 BC. The paper notes the irony that Plato stated in
"The Apology" that the leaders of Athens who said they believed in free speech actually sentenced and killed a man for free speech. The paper points out that still today, there are many places in this world where one does not have the freedom to say what he or she believes. According to the paper, it is everyone's right and duty to speak out for what he or she believes is best for the country, otherwise, there is the possibility of one day losing our democracy.
From the Paper "In The Apology Plato retells what took place when Socrates gave his speech at a trial in 399 BC where he was charged with not acknowledging the gods accepted by the state, creating new deities, and corrupting the Athens youth. Although it is called The Apology, it is anything but asking forgiveness as this word presently denotes. Instead, the term comes from the Greek word apologia, which translates as defending or a speech made in defense. Therefore, in The Apology, Socrates is actually attempting to defend himself and his conduct--definitely not to apologize for it."
Abstract A literary review of Socrates "The Apology" and "Crito" focusing on the issues of the individual within society. The writer reflects Socrates belief that the reason human beings come together to form a state in the first place is because human beings have certain needs which can only be fulfilled by the involvement of other people, and in the properly administered state the individual is enabled to fulfill his or her needs. Both pieces represented by the paper show the author's belief that philosophy is the highest of all callings and the aspiration of all men.
From the Paper "Plato presents his explicit statement of the relationship between the individual and society--even an unjust society--in the form of the "Apology," the statement of Socrates to the court that ultimately sentences him to death. The speech represents the conflict that often develops between the power of the state and the integrity of the individual. The court gives Socrates an out if he recants his teachings, but he will not do it. Socrates represents the primary social value of inquiry, of the pursuit of philosophy, of the examination of the meaning of life."
Tags: philosophy, mankind, humanity, social, value, political, theory
This paper discusses the image of the Greek philosopher, Socrates, as presented by his student Plato and from the satire of him written by Aristophanes.
Abstract The paper states that the images of Socrates as presented by these Plato and Aristophanes are quite different. The author states that Socrates' student Plato reflects admiration for Socrates, but Aristophanes expresses a contrary view similar to the accusers who brought Socrates to trial. The author states that Plato's view of Socrates is as a follower, but Aristophanes' view is as a social critic.
From the Paper "Socrates defends himself first on the grounds that the charges are not true and then that these charges show prejudice against him. The fact that the prejudice is widespread is shown by the character named Socrates in the play "Clouds" by Aristophanes. Socrates goes to some lengths to describe that play and the behavior of the character to show what the view of him is. He says that Aristophanes may not have intended for his play to be taken seriously, but it is clear that many people have done just that."
Abstract This paper examines Martin Luther King, Jr.'s suggestion that Socrates committed acts of civil disobedience. The paper looks at historical evidence in an attempt to clarify this claim and concludes that, strictly speaking, Socrates did not, but that King was still justified in mentioning him.
