Socrates

Socrates and Phaedrus, the two main characters of Plato’s Phaedrus, ruminate on many things, ostensibly love and erotic love, however the dialogue also discusses rhetoric itself and the ways in which it is and should be practiced, as well as subjects such as metempsychosis. The dialogue in Phaedrus does not allow for other interlocutors to introduce the story, or a retelling of events preceding the scene. This is somewhat unusual as it comes as a first-hand unmediated dialogue, and plays out…

receive a second chance, yet Socrates’ “apology” to the court is anything but that. By naming Socrates’ defense “Apology”, the author, Plato, develops an irony illustrated throughout the entire monologue. Socrates cannot overcome his pride and instead of admitting his alleged crimes and begging for his life, he mocks his accusers and praises himself. Pride can be defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority. Socrates is not the only one guilty…

the trial and conviction of Socrates, another factor that contributed to the trial was the idea of the oligarchs vs. the democrats which Socrates played a major role in. Socrates was known to be a supporter of oligarchy which is a system of government where only the best few rule and made all the decisions for the polis: oligarchs were however unpopular with the polis because it was quite tyrannical and they were more in favour of democracy. An example of where Socrates presents his favour…

Examining the life of Socrates, Plato wrote a letter, the Apology, which explained Socrates’ journey and his trials. Socrates was a man who craved knowledge, continuously seeking absolute truth and asking questions (Dean, 2016). This hunger of knowledge caused trouble in his town of Athens because he began to wake people up about the corruption of the city. Fearing his ability to influence, the politicians attempted to place several false accusations on him to eliminate the threat to power.…

Deen Introduction to Philosophy 21 September 2016 Apology Thesis: Socrates tries to prove he is not guilty by making statements to Meletus. It ends with Meletus agreeing with Socrates’ statements. Meletus ends up being portrayed as a fool that does not know much because Socrates keeps making claims that Meletus does not argue back. What or who is considered a positive influence on the youth? This is the first question Socrates asks Meletus. Meletus responds with the law, judges, and…

in human history for taking a stand and not compromising their beliefs just to satisfy external parties. In The Dialogues of Plato, Socrates is confronted with this problem, for it is his unwillingness to compromise his lifestyle and beliefs that ultimately brings forth his tragic demise. Some would argue that his defiance to compromise was unnecessary, but Socrates’ unwillingness to compromise his beliefs was justified…

between men and gods. Socrates’ relationship to the gods is specific. part of his conviction, corrupting the kids, stemmed from the unique accusation that he does no longer accept as true with within the Athenian gods and teaches this to youths, thereby corrupting them. Socrates’ dialogue of this results in the very interesting idea of daimonia, the “daimonic beings” which Meletus accuses Socrates of believing in and coaching about, as opposed to the Athenian gods. Socrates makes use of this…

Socrates, despite being executed centuries ago, continues to be a standing figure of a system of beliefs that is still exists today. Many people throughout the centuries have taken Socrates words into their own lives despite him being constantly ridiculed for being a disgrace to Athens. Throughout Plato’s Apology to Socrates, Socrates not only defends himself in the courtroom with honest facts about his life, but uses this as his last lecture to humanity in order to convince the people of…

life. Before his death in 399 B.C.E, Greek philosopher Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”1 In order to live a fulfilling life, Socrates believed that one must examine self and the world around. Through movies, Socrates death, YouTube clips and even my personal experience, one is able to see the importance of life and the future. In American Beauty2, Click3 and The Bucket List4,…

Plato’s Phaedo presents the final conversation of Socrates preceding his execution by poison, discussing death, the afterlife, and the pursuit of philosophy. In this dialogue, Socrates explains what it means for one to die, and the strong association philosophy has with death, that is, philosophy as the preparation and even the living out of death. Socrates is prepared to die because of his practice of philosophy which causes him to suppress bodily desires, therefore, ready to leave his body…