The Socratic problem refers to the difficulty of determining what information from historical dialogues depict the actual views of Socrates. Socrates was an actual historical figure, but there are no written works from Socrates himself. Therefore, we read of Socrates through his students and others during his time. Plato, Aristophanes, and Xenophon are three main writers who studied the character of Socrates. It is hard to know exactly what Socrates beliefs truly were. However, his views can be discerned from the secondary and sometimes contradictory reports.
In the “Apology” by Plato, Socrates seems to be a very simple man. During his trial, he argues how he is unlike the sophist because he has a humble living while sophist are held to the …show more content…
Socrates also dislikes the fact that they are paid for this and that they are like nomads, they do not stay in one place for long. However, Aristophanes presents Socrates being paid for his services as a sophist and even being in charge of a school, which Socrates clearly frowns upon in the “Apology”. Another uncertain discussion is the one of Socrates take on civil disobedience. In some of the passages from the “Apology”, Socrates is for civil disobedience when injustice is involved. However in the “Crito” when he is able to escape prison and his execution, Socrates states it would be unjust since it would be against the laws. As he states, “I cannot abandon the principles which I used to hold in the past because this accident has happened to me” He also states, “The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.” Escaping prison would be an escape from his imprisonment but not from his problems. Xenophon portrays Socrates’ character as courageous and heroic, opposing Crito’s portrayal of Socrates as …show more content…
Either acquit me, or don’t, knowing that I will not behave differently even if I am to be put to death a thousand times over” (Apology 29d). Socrates argues that he will never stop searching for wisdom. He would rather die than give up philosophy; as he believe that knowledge and debate is a necessary part of life. Socrates chooses to accept his fate, and not escape from prison either. He believes if a court convicts him and he knows it is right to accept this fate. Basically he is saying, if death is what I have to suffer for justice, I must accept it. Refusing being sentenced to silence or being exiled from Athens as his punishment, he chooses death. Later, Socrates death is seen as a result of a noble cause. Plato 's depicts a man willing to face death rather than abandoning his
In the “Apology” by Plato, Socrates seems to be a very simple man. During his trial, he argues how he is unlike the sophist because he has a humble living while sophist are held to the …show more content…
Socrates also dislikes the fact that they are paid for this and that they are like nomads, they do not stay in one place for long. However, Aristophanes presents Socrates being paid for his services as a sophist and even being in charge of a school, which Socrates clearly frowns upon in the “Apology”. Another uncertain discussion is the one of Socrates take on civil disobedience. In some of the passages from the “Apology”, Socrates is for civil disobedience when injustice is involved. However in the “Crito” when he is able to escape prison and his execution, Socrates states it would be unjust since it would be against the laws. As he states, “I cannot abandon the principles which I used to hold in the past because this accident has happened to me” He also states, “The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.” Escaping prison would be an escape from his imprisonment but not from his problems. Xenophon portrays Socrates’ character as courageous and heroic, opposing Crito’s portrayal of Socrates as …show more content…
Either acquit me, or don’t, knowing that I will not behave differently even if I am to be put to death a thousand times over” (Apology 29d). Socrates argues that he will never stop searching for wisdom. He would rather die than give up philosophy; as he believe that knowledge and debate is a necessary part of life. Socrates chooses to accept his fate, and not escape from prison either. He believes if a court convicts him and he knows it is right to accept this fate. Basically he is saying, if death is what I have to suffer for justice, I must accept it. Refusing being sentenced to silence or being exiled from Athens as his punishment, he chooses death. Later, Socrates death is seen as a result of a noble cause. Plato 's depicts a man willing to face death rather than abandoning his