Ancient philosopher, Socrates, taught many people in Athens, Greece through out 300 BC. One of his most promising students, Plato, published his ideas into “The Apology” and “The Allegory of the Cave.” In these two readings Plato writes what Socrates thought about living an unexamined life, a life not worth living. In most Socrates’ teachings he said that you should not conform to others beliefs or ideas.
In “The Apology” Plato is writing his version of what Socrates said while on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens and not believing in the Gods. Socrates thought that an unexamined life is not worth living. He believed that you should have your own belief system and not conform to others. The authority of Athens were threatened by Socrates’ teachings because they …show more content…
Socrates studies all things in the sky and below the earth rather than just studying the gods. Socrates has learned that the politicians know little about the questions of life but, that does not stop them from trying to give answers. Socrates admits he knows nothing and the fact that he knows this makes him smarter than everyone else. “I am wiser than this man; it is likely that neither of us knows anything worthwhile, but he think he knows something when he does not, whereas when I do not know, neither do I think I know; so I am likely to be wiser than he to this small extent, that I do not think I know what I do not know.”(Socrates, 17) In other words, ignorance is bliss. In the trial he is making his case knowing that no one will believe him. He is given a plea stating that he could accept the fact that he is wrong and stop his teachings or he could be condemned to death. He
In “The Apology” Plato is writing his version of what Socrates said while on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens and not believing in the Gods. Socrates thought that an unexamined life is not worth living. He believed that you should have your own belief system and not conform to others. The authority of Athens were threatened by Socrates’ teachings because they …show more content…
Socrates studies all things in the sky and below the earth rather than just studying the gods. Socrates has learned that the politicians know little about the questions of life but, that does not stop them from trying to give answers. Socrates admits he knows nothing and the fact that he knows this makes him smarter than everyone else. “I am wiser than this man; it is likely that neither of us knows anything worthwhile, but he think he knows something when he does not, whereas when I do not know, neither do I think I know; so I am likely to be wiser than he to this small extent, that I do not think I know what I do not know.”(Socrates, 17) In other words, ignorance is bliss. In the trial he is making his case knowing that no one will believe him. He is given a plea stating that he could accept the fact that he is wrong and stop his teachings or he could be condemned to death. He