Socrates The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Essay

A Wise Figure in Philosophy The Apology tells us that Socrates was a model of religious devotion, devoted to his city-state and its customs, traditions and laws. Even though Socrates did not leave any writings about himself, he was still a very influential philosopher. His father was a sculptor, and he soon became a learner and aid to his father. Socrates brought new ideas and processes of thought to Athenian society, and his work still has its place in the world today. One example is; how he suggests that “what is to be considered a good act is not good because God says it is, it is good because it is useful to us in our efforts to be better and happier people.” Saying that it does not matter what is good or bad, just thinking about how it impacts life. However, during his time, his ideas were not always thought of as a good thing. Many viewed him as a corrupting influence on other people and accused him of forcing his ideas upon others. He encouraged people to question everything. He was a man that was in search of the truth about wisdom. He leaves himself in the situation of deciding what he should do. Socrates once stated, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” By constantly examining one’s life and actions. He would rather die searching for the truth, than live accepting what he considered an obvious lie. He …show more content…
His responses to the charges were quite complicated, he states to the jury, “does the man exist who would rather be harmed than benefited by his associates?” Pretty much asking why would he purposely hurt his friends, he considered his students as his friends, and why would he hurt his friends with corruption. He was just expanding the student’s minds with his knowledge of the world. Socrates stands strongly behind his beliefs, and you know this if he would go out and try to teach his feelings and thoughts to the