Socrates

quote from Socrates, a philosopher that had lasting effects in Greek history. It began with Peloponnesian Wars, which ended with the desecration of Athens’ main source of pride, their democracy. Ensuing the loss of their government system, Athenians felt intimidated by Socrates and his beliefs, which eventually led to his demise. Athens executed Socrates after the downfall of their democratic system following their defeat in the second Peloponnesian War; despite the fact that Socrates was not…

“Socrates is a doer of evil, and corrupter of the youth, and he does not believe in the gods of the state, and has other new divinities of his own” (Apology, 5). Clearly Socrates was not admired by the one who spoke these words. Although Socrates was admired by many, the poor reputations of the sophists combined with Socrates’ disbelief in the Athenian gods led to the city fearing and mistrusting philosophy, ultimately prompting Socrates’ downfall. The city of Athens feared and generally…

The trial of Socrates takes place in the year 399 That trial follows very quickly upon the famous Peloponnesian war. The war that took place between the two great powers of the Greek world between the Spartans and Athens. The Athens that fought this war was at its height of the political power and prestige but lost the 30-year war to Sparta. Sparta initiated the 30 tyrants to rule the city. The next year the 30 tyrants were driven out and a democratic society was once again established. Three…

speech as presented by Socrates talks about love, its meaning, and purpose. In the speech, Socrates narrates the story of Diotima about love. Diotima is a woman who had challenged Socrates on his understanding of love, ignorance, and comprehension. According to her, love is neither good nor bad. It lies between the good and the bad. Socrates used to assume that love was a good and a beautiful thing. However, Diotima held a different opinion. After the discussion, she makes Socrates confused and…

throughout history, however, may people tend to reflect on specific philosophers. Eastern culture tends to reflect on eastern philosophy, dating back to Confucius and the Buddha, and western culture with western philosophy, dating back to Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato. Is there a reason for this? Is it fair to say that our different cultures have more or less accepted the philosophical principles of our own native philosophers? With education, almost everyone has heard of or been taught…

retells the trial and the long conversations held by Socrates and his comrades before he is to drink the poison. Socrates views and ideas about the world were much different than that of the current population. These ideas led him to be accused of corrupting the young and creating new Gods while denying the existence of old ones [Plato 2]. He also speculates the heavens and the earth beneath, making the worse appear the better cause [Plato 20]. Socrates prosecutors called him an evil-doer and a…

When held on trial, Socrates stated that the people of Athens would be more harmed by his execution than he will be, if he were to be sentenced to death. Socrates was fighting charges for corrupting the youth and for not acknowledging the Gods. During the trial Socrates had proven that his accuser Meletus was accusing Socrates mainly out of spite instead of accusing him for the benefit of Athens or the people of Athens. He believed that an unjust killing was not good for the human soul. During…

In the accounts of the Apology, we hear of the epic trial, that led Socrates, the father of Philosophy to his death. We have a continuation of the Greek question, what makes us human? The answer to that question which sets us apart from animals, is that we know we are going to die. Yet, we do not know when, therefore this odd, relationship with death is what makes us Human. This argument just presented, is that of the struggle that Achilles had throughout the Iliad. Antigone, written by…

Socrates was definitely different from the ordinary man in ancient Athens at the time. Not only was his way of thinking different from what people of that time period were familiar to, but Socrates was also a very compassionate man. Socrates cared more about helping others grow intellectually and opening the eyes of his pupils to view the world in a completely different way. It makes one wonder how an extraordinary man, like Socrates, was willing to receive his death sentence from people…

they speak; and yet they hardly uttered a word of truth” (PORTRAIT OF SOCRATES;SIR R. W. LIVINGSTONEp1.) In this assignment I will briefly explain what happened in the trail of Socrates as written by Plato, as well as what the different roles of philosophy as highlighted by Socrates in the apology. Role of philosophy is the caring of the human soul, and the moral virtue that a person attains through a philosophical life. Socrates’ promotion of the pursuit of wisdom supported this role, as…