Abstract In this article the writer discusses that Socrates accomplishes much of his rational argument based on establishing that forms or ideal structures only result in knowledge and he argues that sophists make of knowledge nothing but a commodity. The writer points out that Socrates' ultimate demise is well-known through the reproduction of his argument by his star pupil, Plato and it is to Plato that most Socratic researchers must rely on to gain a better understanding of Socrates because he never wrote anything at all. The writer notes that it is Socrates' use of forms as a paradigm for epistemological study which has freed philosophical pursuits from simple contemplation of knowledge and moved it to the application of insight and wisdom. The writer maintains that for Socrates, the world of forms was useful as a rational construct upon which to make his philosophical points; that is, knowledge to Socrates was only the starting point for philosophical debate whereas for others such as the sophists, knowledge and the pursuit of it were the ultimate goal or pursuit.
From the Paper "However, the force of Socrates' renunciation of sophist thought and doctrine comes through so clearly in Plato's work that it is clear that Plato relied on Socratic opinion almost exclusively for the foundation of his most renowned works such as the Republic which contains a series of Plato's works. Therefore, were this last the case then Plato would be known almost exclusively as the father of philosophy rather than Socrates and Socrates would be a mere footnote. Yet, the marvel of Socrates' fame and his foundational position in the philosophical body of knowledge is that through him philosophy was given a greater conception of itself as separate from pure knowledge which Socrates demonstrated was relatively invaluable without the more important qualities of moral justice, wisdom, and restraint.."
Abstract This paper explains that, although he did not leave any writings of his own or, at least, none of these were preserved, Socrates' philosophy and his personality are conserved in many of the works of his disciples. The author points out that Socrates' most famous appearance was as a character in Plato's dialogues. Socrates is the first thinker to change the focus of philosophy from the general theories related to the physical world to theories of the human world. The paper examines several themes of Socrates' philosophy such as knowledge, ethics, justice and justness and the virtuous life.
From the Paper "Notably, Socrates' political theories follow the same pattern: for instance, the ideal system of government described in "The Republic" is curiously analogical with the human soul (the repository of justice and virtue) and with the soul's relation to the human body. He does not emphasize so much the relationship established between the city and the citizen, but rather that between the ruler and the inhabitants. The city is in itself, essential for the life of the individuals, but here the art of government and that of the ruler are highlighted instead of the idea of democracy."
Abstract This paper examines Plato's theory of knowledge, stemming from his theory of the forms. It looks at how the bulk of his theory lay in three major dialogues: "The Meno," "The Theatetus," and "The Sophist". It shows how, collectively, they represent Plato's early, middle, and later portions of his life's work, respectively, and completely encompass the broad scope of his theory.
From the Paper "The Meno is where Plato begins to define his theory of the forms. This task is handled through a dialogue between Plato's teacher Socrates, and Meno, a Greek official. Socrates tells Meno that he has never met a man who could define virtue, and was wondering if Meno could undertake the task (it is noteworthy that Plato's choice in characters is not arbitrary. Meno was known for his tyranny, which adds irony to the work). Meno haughtily complies, and lists a variety of ways in which different types of people act virtuously. This however, is precisely the problem Socrates runs into when discussing the matter with people- they give examples of virtue, but fail to provide a holistic definition of what virtue is."
A look at the reconciliation of the indignant words of Socrates to the jurors of the city's court at his trial and his loyal obedience to the laws of Athens in Plato's "Crito".
Abstract This paper explains that the apparent inconsistencies in the willingness of Socrates to disobey the government of Athens and its laws are merely the result of his love for Athens and distrust of the common people (hoi polloi) as rulers of the city. It shows that, to Socrates, the people of Athens collectively formed a force destructive to the ethical and philosophical ideals to which he adhered. These adherents to the tradition of concessive belief, according to Socrates, were of no use to themselves or to the city because they failed to make any significant contributions and merely provided one additional voice in the chorus that was Athenian democracy.
From the Paper "Socrates maintains a consistent loyalty to Athens and its laws throughout his trial in the Apology and his discussion with a student in Crito. Both works portray Socrates as a patriotic individual who regarded his city and its population as separate entities and who intended wholeheartedly to improve the former while preventing ruin at the hands of the latter."
Abstract This paper examines the life and works of Socrates. It gives an historical overview of his doings and analyzes them from a critical philosophical point of view. It describes the questions he raised about God and piety, different forms of truth, and what is rational right and the nature of goodness. It also discusses other famous thinkers of the time such as Plato and Aristotle.
From the Paper "Socrates had long been known for questioning the premises of his society. He was a traveling teacher, who claimed that he knew nothing, and yet managed to preach his unique views through enlightening series of questions that forced whoever he may address to slowly abandon their way of thought and take a fresh look at the world. He was a sweeping, revolutionary force in the world. Unfortunately, the world does not always like revolution. He was brought up on charges on impiety; his accusers claimed that because he questioned certain preconceptions about the gods that he did not believe in them, and that he corrupted the innocent minds of youth. The penalty he faced was death. It was against this truly significant background that he undertook to debate the origin of piety and goodness. On his way to trial, he stopped one Euthyphro, a man proclaimed as a prophet and seer of the gods. "Tell me then, what is the pious, and what the impious, do you say"? (Euthyphro, 5d) This is a vital question not only in terms of Socrates? impending need to defend himself before his judges, but also in the scope of the world. After all, if piety is a supreme virtue, then surely one ought to know what it is. "
Abstract This paper discusses the views of Socrates. Aristotle and Euthyphro on truth, goodness and rational right. It examines these issues from different points of view and includes excerpts from these thinkers' works and theories such as: Nicomachean Ethics, The Republic and more. It compares the views of these thinkers on these issues and contrasts them.
From the Paper "Socrates had long been known for questioning the premises of his society. He was a traveling teacher, who claimed that he knew nothing, and yet managed to preach his unique views through enlightening series of questions that forced whoever he may address to slowly abandon their way of thought and take a fresh look at the world. He was a sweeping, revolutionary force in the world. Unfortunately, the world does not always like revolution. He was brought up on charges on impiety; his accusers claimed that because he questioned certain preconceptions about the gods that he did not believe in them and that he corrupted the innocent minds of youth. The penalty he faced was death. It was against this truly significant background that he undertook to debate the origin of piety and goodness. On his way to trial, he stopped one Euthyphro, a man proclaimed as a prophet and seer of the gods. "Tell me then, what is the pious, and what the impious, do you say"? (Euthyphro, 5d) This is a vital question not only in terms of Socrates? impending need to defend himself before his judges, but also in the scope of the world. After all, if piety is a supreme virtue, then surely one ought to know what it is."
Tags:Socrates, Euthyphro, Delphi, truth, God, impiety, goodness, rational, right
Abstract The paper is a critical philosophical analysis of the works of Socrates and Zhuangzi. The paper analyzes how they have a similar pattern of cyclical afterlife patterns. Zhuangzi offers a distinct form of regeneration that links life with death and seems to negate the whole endgame of death that one sees a great deal in western philosophy.
From the Paper "This philosophical study will examine the nature of death and the afterlife within the philosophical writings of Zhuangzi and Socrates. By comparing and contrasting these two versions of death and the afterlife, one can realize the cyclical and rational means in which these philosophers make in their arguments. By realizing the critical views of these ancient philosophical points of view on death, one can realize how life and death are connected in two culturally different philosophies. In essence, cyclical patterns of death and the afterlife in the works of Zhuangzi and Socrates will be examined and defined within this study. The writings of Zhuangzi relate an interconnection between life and death that proposes a kind of regeneration, rather than an afterlife."
Abstract Socrates' views are analyzed by studying a conversation between Socrates, Cephalus, his son Polemarchus and his followers. The author explains how Socrates enters into a philosophical dialogue with several different individuals who attempt to set down a firm definition of justice. Socrates then sets out to test and challenge their definitions"through his method of questioning and counter-examples"in an attempt to arrive at a more secure definition of justice, that which cannot be refuted.
From the Paper "Cephalus first raises the idea of justice with Socrates and then passes the debate on to his son, Polemarchus, to carry forward. In line with his father's arguments, Polemarchus develops the most basic definition of justice suggested in the Republic. He makes the claim that justice means simply to speak the truth and to give people their proper due; for example, old debts should be repaid. Justice also means treating people in accordance with their essential character. For example, Polemarchus concludes that if a certain individual is considered an enemy, that individual should meet with "something harmful" (26); if another individual is considered a friend, that individual should be treated well."
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 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. "
"Socrates' most outstanding characteristic was that he believed he was wise only to the extent that that he knew nothing. In his use of critical reaso...
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 6 sources, 2005, $ 35.95
Abstract "Socrates' most outstanding characteristic was that he believed he was wise only to the extent that that he knew nothing. In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy (Kemerling 1). The life of Socrates is synonymous with the search for justice and truth. Socrates insists that to live justly is the highest good, even when (indeed, especially when) it is inexpedient or in conflict with our perceived advantage (Taylor 22)."
From the Paper Reason: Not enough to work with, Plato is not mentioned in the abstract.
Socrates' most outstanding characteristic was that he believed he was wise only to the extent that that he knew nothing. "In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy" (Kemerling 1). The life of Socrates is synonymous with the search for justice and truth. "Socrates insists that to live justly is the highest good, even when (indeed, especially when) it is inexpedient or in conflict with our perceived advantage" (Taylor 22).
Abstract This paper looks briefly at what is known of Socrates and some of his ideas, as related by Plato, his student. The writer describes Socrates as a devoted student of human nature and human motives, a passionate political commentator who analyzed the corrupt governments of his time and suffered death for his integrity. Socrates believed in moral absolutes and his goal as a teacher was the attainment of virtue and perfect knowledge. The paper concludes by mentioning some of the great minds who were influenced by Socrates and his philosophy.
Outline:
Who Was He?
What Did He Believe?
Influences on Future Philosophers
From the Paper "Socrates, if one reads any of Plato's works, seems to be a man of intense and never satisfied curiosity. He employed the same logical actions developed by the Sophists to a new purpose, the pursuit of truth. Many credit Socrates with the birth of critical philosophy in that he would accept nothing less than a full account of how something worked, what someone's motivations were for committing certain acts, and where one might go to find the answers. In addition, he never charged for his lectures, though most philosophers of his day did."
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 examines the 399 B.C. trial of Socrates and the charges brought against him and then discusses whether Socrates was responsible for his own death. As part of the discussion, the paper considers Socrates' willingness to suffer death for the sake of truth.
From the Paper "Socrates was brought to trial in Athens on charges of impious service of divinities different from the gods of the state and scandalous corruption of the youth of Athens. The prosecution demanded the death penalty and in spite of a lack of evidence he was condemned to death by a majority of the judges. In "Apology", Plato writes with the voice of Socrates who declined an offer to escape because of his belief that such..."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses Socrates' decision to accept his sentence. The writer explains that basically the argument is based on Socrates concepts of justice and the soul. Further, the writer points out that Socrates essentially believed that one could not right an injustice with another injustice, as this is the same as saying that two wrongs do not make a right.
From the Paper "Socrates was one of the most influential philosophers of all time. One of the most celebrated aspects of Socrates life was his trial and death. Socrates did not die a natural death he was executed for political crimes. In The Trial and Death of Socrates Socrates explains, that he is under indictment by one Meletus for corrupting the young and for not believing in the gods in whom the city believes. In essence Socrates was charged with teaching material that was perceived to be against the Athenian state."
