Thomas Paine: A Loyal Disciple Of Socrates

Thomas Paine A Loyal Disciple Of Socrates

“I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.”(Paine, 1776-1809) Thomas Paine had many similar beliefs as Socrates. His opinion on the government is almost identical. Paine believed that the government is a necessary evil and that should not be ran by a tyrant such as a greedy king or a royal family that stay in power for years to come. He believes that the people of the nation should run the nation through elected representatives. But in cases such as when England was ruling over the colonies that no matter how perfect the government is there always arises rulers that only look out for themselves and not the people that they rule for. He believes that greed over takes the governments idea of a perfect democracy. He believes that after people are ruled so long by people such as that they believe that what is wrong for them is even right. Paine believed in peace and would rather fight a battle for his children and brethren then his brethren and children fight it themselves. He believes that the true and only the rulers that want reason and logical choices for the people can rule. Socrates believes that the human being should be independent and not depend on others for their needs. Paine believed by nature humans depend …show more content…
These beliefs show that Paine is a student of Socrates, even though this can be proven to true he had many other beliefs of his own. Yet this proves it even more than you know. Socrates believed in independent thought, exactly what Paine did. Paine thought of his own ideas and was one of the first Eastern Philosopher. This is why he was not well liked in the end of his career and life. He was around most people that were not open minded. The people around him were more closed minded then