Objective Truth In The Journey

Superior Essays
“Your mind has roads that are just as real as your body’s roads. And just as you must choose whenever you come to a fork in your physical road, you must also choose between different mental roads, different philosophies of life.” Throughout The Journey, Peter Kreeft explains that life will always have two ways. One cannot either pick to have or not to have philosophy but the choice is between good or bad philosophy. To decide which way of thinking is good or bad one must question other views to strengthen their own. Peter Kreeft is in a dream-like state in Plato’s cave. Socrates come along and presents Kreeft with a quest. The first question Kreeft had to answer was whether to begin or to not begin the quest. Socrates explains that throughout …show more content…
Socrates explains that logic will help Kreeft decide his own thoughts. After questioning Protagoras, Kreeft came to the conclusion that to have subjective truth there has to be objective truth. Socrates helps Kreeft understand the flaw in Protagoras’ philosophy by pointing out that it is subjective to believe that objective truth does not exist and that one cannot subjectively look at an objective point. So to say that objective truth is not real, objective truth must exist. Once Kreeft feels confident in his view they continue on their journey. Diogenes was the next philosopher Kreeft met on his quest. Diogenes tries to persuade Kreeft from his “pointless quest” by proposing that there is no meaning to life. The meaning of life itself is subjective. Diogenes’ argument is that there is no objective truth about anything nonphysical or if there is objective truth then no one would be able to understand it or know it. Diogenes’ argument is “that the meaning of life is subjective because people disagree on it.” Before trying to disprove Diogenes’ philosophy, Socrates restates is argument back to Diogenes and teaches an …show more content…
Socrates questions Domocritus’ philosophy until the conclusion was that ideas can be true or false but since ideas are not material things, his philosophy was wrong and was more of a faith. Soon after Socrates and Kreeft climbed through the whole they were met by the next philosopher, Thrasymachus. Thrasymachus states that, “there is no natural law of good and evil.” This philosophy is how one gets to the land of liberty. Socrates gives a lesson on logic and points out a flaw in Thrasymachus’ view. Socrates states that Thrasymachus is not a rebel, just a noble conservative to the authority above

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, is linked with Western systems of logic and philosophy. At an early age, he served in the hoplite-ancient Greek infantry, and later devoted his life to philosophy. His rather unique perspective and wisdom in philosophy attracted friends and enemies at the same time. Socrates metaphorically was the gadfly that stung the horse- Athenian state. And from his brilliant debates accustomed with truthfulness and honesty that all stemmed from an oracle in Delphi, he laid bare the false wisdom of politicians, craftsmen and poets. It is from this very course charges against Socrates followed as explained in the following sections of this essay. In addition, I will address any objection…

    • 740 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy. A man who was too progressive for his time, Socrates’ radical ideas, such as the rejection of materialistic society, challenged those whose wealth shielded them from the masses. This progressive man defied common beliefs, and confronted those who held those beliefs. An unexpected teacher of many, Socrates was a visionary whose ideas challenged the status quo and social structure of society. A man of principle, Socrates stood by his word even when facing death. However, this prideful unyielding arrogance led to his downfall. Though today we regard him as a progressive, his shocking contrarian…

    • 2010 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Socrates was a Greek philosopher and the main source of Western thought. Little is known of his life except what was recorded by his students, including Plato. In Book I of Plato’s “The Republic”, Socrates and Glaucon were ‘asked’ to join Polemarchus along with Adeimantus and others at Polemarchus’ house (sp. 327-328c). Even though he was coerced into this discussion, Socrates shared his knowledge with the assembly. Socrates’ intentions were to get his interlocutors at the Piraeus to adopt the dialectic methodologies in order to aid them in finding true knowledge in what they apply it to. Having noted their adamancies in winning another argument, and not contemplating fully, he uses an allegory of a cave (in Book VII) to represent their ignorance to a better way of living or thinking.…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Socratic practice, as presented in The Apology through Socrates’s explanation of it and his way of implementing it, relies on its implementer being perceived as truthful and disinterested in wealth, while simultaneously questioning the perceived knowledge amongst individuals of authority. Socrates’s form of philosophical discussion forced the burden of the conversation upon his opponents though this questioning. In the Republic, Socrates provides an apt example of the Socratic practice as he argues against Thrasymachus.…

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Near the end of Apology, as Socrates approaches death, he presents a rather complex argument concluding that death must be a blessing. This paper focuses on the reconstruction of Socrates’ argument, analyzing its quality, and ultimately concluding whether or not it has merit. After observing two examples of faulty arguments, the reconstruction of Socrates verbal logic is presented and each assertion is examined carefully. This examination will focus on each assertion individually and will thoroughly justify any logical gaps through the use of unstated premises. From this careful examination of Socrates propositions, one can conclude that Socrates put forth a faulty argument. Before Socrates logic is determined flawed, one must understand the…

    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In this Plato’s dialogue, the Socrates is faced with some very persuasive arguments with Meno, his another accuser. This dialogue’s main theme consists of the vivid explanation of real virtue by the Socrates utilizing brilliant epistemology. At certain point when Meno affirms that virtue is knowledge which can be taught, the Socrates disagree with his believe affirming that there is no one who is qualified to teach it, and that it is a Gift from God which cannot be taught to any person. It is worth noting…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    While attempting to find the correct meaning of the word justice, Socrates refutes several of Thrasymachus's arguments pertaining to his personal perception of the definition. Furthermore, Socrates counters Thrasymachus's belief that one should be unjust, with the conviction that justice is a trait which one should possess. This particular area of the discussion shows a contrast between the ideas of Socrates and Thrasymachus regarding the term.…

    • 1161 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    We argued that that the imprisonment of an innocent man has already undermined the Laws of Athens and so his escape would be just, in reversing the damage to the state. However, Socrates believes that one should ever wrong someone else, and he believes that his escape would undermine the Laws of Athens, and so under this justification, Socrates is justified in not escaping. We considered the idea that perhaps for Socrates his not escaping is not about political obligation but is instead a matter of maintaining his character, and if this is his true justification then he is justified in his…

    • 1501 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Plato’s dialogue Apology, Socrates stands trail to defend himself from the accusations of “corrupting the youth” and disregarding the Gods of the state. In his speech he tells the jury that an oracle at Delphi told Chaerephon a friend of Socrates that Socrates is a man of wisdom and no man is wiser than he is. To prove this cannot be true Socrates conducts cross examinations to find someone who is wiser than he is. Through these examinations Socrates mission and main points are to help people by exposing their ignorance to find wisdom, to find virtue, to find truth and to improve the soul.…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The name Thrasymachus means fierce fighter, and this certainly represents the character of the same name, who appears in book one of Plato’s Republic. Thrasymachus enters Plato’s world with a statement designed to shock, stating that “justice is the advantage of the stronger”. The idea is that rulers make the laws in their own best interests, and adherence to those laws is what constitutes justice for the individual. Socrates leaps at this opportunity to further his discussion on the subject of justice in book one: what it is, and whether or not it pays to be just. In this essay I will clarify Thrasymachus’…

    • 2199 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the dialogue Meno, Socrates and Meno start by attempting to find what virtue is, but are unsuccessful. They then dig into a more generalized question of how to find what any thing or idea is when one does not know what it is they are looking for. This is Meno 's Paradox. Socrates attempts to solve this paradox through the theory of recollection which states that the human soul is immortal and has knowledge of everything. In this essay, I will demonstrate how Socrates ' response to this question was successful in answering the paradox.…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Plato's Apology Argument

    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Time and time again, the philosophical attitude is used as a tool for philosophers to see beyond their restricted perceptions of reality. This widened view of the world maximizes morality and understanding, and accelerates the flow of intelligent ideas. Socrates displays this in his wisdom and his actions, and Murphy describes this with his “piece of mind” analogy. Every individual may have their own opinions about how an intelligent and moral life is lived, but a philosophical attitude allows one to reside in a world of uncertainty with…

    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He means anything that a ruler thinks is good is justice. Rulers proceed ruling power to control and make laws for their cities; hence, what rulers think is just for people under their authority is justice. Therefore, if a person disobey any law he receives punishment for acting unjustly. Then Socrates shows humans are fallible, liable to make mistakes, and so are the rulers. Thrasymachus claims that a ruler to the extent he is a ruler does not make mistakes, so the ruler decides what is good for him and the subjects should carry out his order. Socrates exemplify with the art of medicine and shows that no one in authority considers his own benefits but the benefit of people under his authority. Thrasymachus objects with the example of shepherd’s concerns for his sheep with the aim of earning a living. Thereafter, they rephrase the outcome of justice benefits both the ruler and his followers.…

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    One must constantly go through the process of introspection in order to live an examined life to not be swayed by popular opinion but instead become knowledgeable of the world around them and the self. For Socrates, to care for the soul is the most crucial responsibility in life because of his belief that the soul of an individual is the true being of who a person really is. Throughout the book of Plato’s Five Dialogues, Socrates constantly questions society’s ethics and emphasizes how important it is for one to question and examine the world around them in order to care for the soul. Those who choose to live an unexamined life are losing the chance of attaining knowledge and becoming corrupted by choosing to live blindly based on popular opinion instead of their own beliefs. In order for people to live the good life,…

    • 1717 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Socrates: The Fear Of Death

    • 2253 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Socrates was a philosopher who pursued what the ‘many’ did not even regard, he analyzes the deeper meaning and truth of things providing himself with an insight and view on a more intellectual and virtuous level than most. He was a very a critical thinker that involved skepticism in his every day rational, questioning the thoughts he had and the thoughts that others had around him repeatedly examining common beliefs. Due to this outlook he possessed and the gods’ wisdom, Socrates made it his command to get those around him to question their own beliefs. As it is imaginable, the “wise” men of Athens ultimately began to get annoyed and pestered by the constant questioning Socrates did especially because he often made them look foolish and embarrassed…

    • 2253 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays

Related Topics