A paper which analyzes Socrates' philosophy on life and death using Plato's "Apology".
Essay # 8426 |
755 words (
approx. 3 pages ) |
3 sources |
APA | 2002
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$ 16.95
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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."
Tags:apologia, critical, reasoning, social, excellence
Socrates' "Apology" and "Crito"
An examination of the conflict in reasoning in Socrates' works "Apology" and "Crito".
Essay # 50058 |
1,326 words (
approx. 5.3 pages ) |
2 sources |
MLA | 2003
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$ 26.95
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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 analyzes 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."
Tags:citizen, state, justice, city
A defense of Socrates, based on the "Apology" by Plato.
Persuasive Essay # 120006 |
1,421 words (
approx. 5.7 pages ) |
0 sources |
2010
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$ 28.95
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Abstract
The writer of this paper discusses the charges brought against Socrates, that he was a physicist, a sophist, a corrupter of the youth and one who did not believe in the Gods. The writer offers his reasoning why Socrates was not guilty of these charges based on the writer's reading of Socrates' defense in Plato's "Apology".
From the Paper
"The first charge laid against Socrates is that he was a physicist, one who "speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth below." I think this might be the most easily disputed of the charges. If a physicist was one who tried to explain phenomena by looking for natural causes rather than religious or mystical causes, than it is easy to see that Socrates did not fit the description for such a person. Take for instance some of the dialogue discussed by Socrates in the "Apology". He firmly believes that the "Oracle of Delphi" was a god, and believes that he must be giving a true riddle when he talks about Socrates being the wisest, because, as Socrates states, he is a god and lying would be against his nature. Clearly this demonstrates his belief in the supernatural or religious realm."
Tags:physicist, sophist, corrupter, youth, Gods, Meletus
Examines the way that Plato views Socrates in his writings of "Apology."
Essay # 27268 |
925 words (
approx. 3.7 pages ) |
1 source |
MLA | 2002
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This paper briefly looks at the characteristics attributed to Socrates by Plato. It shows how Socrates is charged with being evil, corrupting the youth and generally being a bad influence on the society. He is then given a chance to respond to these allegations.
From the Paper
"In Plato's Apology, Socrates is charged as an "evil-doer who . . . makes the worse appear the better cause; and he teaches the aforesaid doctrines to others" (65). It is also charged that Socrates "corrupts the youth; and who does not believe in the gods of the state, but has other new divinities of his own" (74). Clearly, then, if true, from the point of view of the state, Socrates is a traitor to the state because if he is successful in his efforts he will cause many people, especially impressionable youth, to question the very authority of the state, which could lead to rebellion against the state. Whether this is what Socrates intends, this is nevertheless the way his prosecutors see his efforts. In fact, considering that Socrates could have easily fled and saved his life, his actions and decisions right up to the moment of his death are testimony to his loyalty to the state and his willingness to obey its laws and abide by its decision in his case."
Tags:society, evil, corruption
An analysis of the Apology of Socrates and the qualities of wisdom and virtue.
Essay # 87409 |
1,350 words (
approx. 5.4 pages ) |
1 source |
2005
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$ 27.95
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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."
Tags:apology, of, socrates
An exploration of Socrates' definition of a good person.
Analytical Essay # 2423 |
1,560 words (
approx. 6.2 pages ) |
1 source |
2001
|
$ 30.95
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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."
Tags:apology, argument, aristotle, philosophy, plato, psychology, republic, greek
An analysis of Plato's "Apology of Socrates".
Analytical Essay # 57604 |
1,426 words (
approx. 5.7 pages ) |
2 sources |
MLA | 2004
$ 28.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the "Apology of Socrates" by Plato. The paper explains that the "Apology of Socrates" is, in essence, a defense of philosophy and a glimpse into why it is necessary. In the first part of the apology, Socrates shows that philosophy challenges and breaks down society, and in the latter half, claims that philosophy is helpful and good. Although these may seem to be contradictory accounts, the paper shows that Socrates uses them to meet the same purpose. He does it to show Athenians that, although philosophy may break down the current social order, it will help rebuild a stronger society. Hence, philosophy is a necessity. The paper examines how Socrates changes his position regarding the charge that he affects the city's youth, regarding his association with the gods and regarding his claims about his own ignorance and knowledge.
From the Paper
"One of the most serious charges laid against Socrates was that he corrupts the young by teaching them to follow his habit of examining people. In his defence speech, Socrates is evasive in his answer to this as he presents two different accounts of his affects on the youth. In the first part of his speech, Socrates claims that he is not accountable for what the youth do. He says that the young "follow me of their own accord" (Plato, Apology of Socrates 23c). Hence, he takes no responsibility for their actions and considers himself blame-free. Implicit in this defence is the admission that his method of questioning others and exposing their faults is indeed dangerous for the city and hence he does not want to be responsible for the young emulating him. However, in the second half of the apology, he takes a different standpoint."
Tags:philosophy, oracle, delphi
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.
Argumentative Essay # 32257 |
650 words (
approx. 2.6 pages ) |
1 source |
2002
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$ 13.95
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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.
Tags:socrates', defence
A philosophical discussion commenting on the conflict between the 'Apology' and the 'Crito'.
Persuasive Essay # 105593 |
1,361 words (
approx. 5.4 pages ) |
2 sources |
APA | 2008
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$ 27.95
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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."
Tags:apology, Socrates, crito, philosophy
An exploration of the Socratic philosophy of life as seen in Plato's "Apology".
Essay # 70157 |
920 words (
approx. 3.7 pages ) |
3 sources |
APA | 2005
|
$ 19.95
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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..."
Tags:Socrates, socratic method, plato, apology