Essays On Socrates

Socrates Essay
SocratesSocrates spent his time questioning people about things like virtue, justice, piety and truth.
The people Socrates questioned are the people that condemned him to death. Socrates was sentenced
to death because people did not like him and they wanted to shut him up for good. There was not any
real evidence against Socrates to prove the accusations against him. Socrates was condemned for
three major reasons: he told important people exactly what he thought of them, he questioned ideas
that had long been the norm, the youth copied his style of questioning for fun, making Athenians
think Socrates was teaching the youth to be rebellious. But these reasons were not the charges
against him, he was charged with being an atheist and...show more content...
Socrates traveled from one group to another visiting wise politicians, poets, and craftsmen,
making enemies out of each group. After talking to the "wise" men Socrates realized they were
all arrogant for thinking themselves wise. Because Socrates knew he was not wise he believed he
was better off then them. In the end it was a representative from each group that charged Socrates
with the crimes that got him condemned to death. This "occupation" consumed his leisure as well
as his finances. Socrates told the court at his trail: "I live in great poverty because of my service to
the god"(6). Socrates compared himself to a gadfly, and the city of Athens a steed he was just trying
to stir into life (11). When a horsefly bites me I squash it, and that is exactly what the city of Athens
did to Socrates. Instead of squashing him they made him drink poison, a little bit less messy.
Socrates was a gadfly by questioning Athenians on subjects they rarely talked about, making them
think about something they normally wouldn't. He did his questioning out in the open where
Athenians congregated so the public could observe and hopefully think on whatever subject that was
being talked about. Socrates would question respectable Athenians making them look stupid too a
crowd, because they would not know what to say. Making the person being questioned very angry
towards Socrates for putting them in such a position. Socrates
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Essay on Socrates: A Great Philosopher
Socrates was a philosopher who taught many young minds. Socrates even taught Plato another great
philosopher. This great philosopher lived in the fifth century B.C. Socrates was wrongly accused
and sentenced to death, but his knowledge lives on.Socrates was born around 470 B.C. Socrates was
born into a poor family. Socrates was born in a village on the side of Mount Lycabettus. His father
was a sculptor who was excellent at his job. When he was old enough his father taught him how to
be sculptor but his creations always came out less than acceptable in the eyes of the clients. His
mother was a mid wife. She helped deliver a lot of the children in Athens. In Athens it was common
for young men like Socrates to have an elementary level...show more content...
At the age of fifty he married a woman and had three sons. While Socrates was teaching he would
ask very hard questions, like "What is wisdom" Obviously none of the students could answer but
most of them thought that the where right. Socrates came out and said," I have yet to find the
answer if there is one" His greatest achievement was his method of questioning. Among all of his
teachings and quotes he never wrote about his own life. This is the reason why so little is known
about him. Any sources found today have been written by second hand sources such as Plato
(Lim97). Socrates was admired by many who understood his ideas. This showed that he was a
good man in the eyes of the Athenian people. Socrates went on and asked all of his students to
question themselves and see how many different points of views they would come up with. Many
found that they had contradictory opinions for one question. This leads to many historians to
think that Socrates was the one who originally said "An unexamined life isn't worth living."
Socrates may not have said this but he did say, "There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil,
ignorance." Socrates believed that absolute standards did exist for truth and justice. But this isn't
how the people of Athens saw it.(Beck138) Socrates is known for his questions and how hard they
seem to be. He's also none for his quotes. Some of his quotes he doesn't even know

Philosophy Of Socrates Research Paper
If a person knew that they were innocent of charges and could escape would they still face possible
death? It is solely questionable why Socrates would continue to endure false imprisonment and the
account of jealousy and thoughtless men. Socrates an astute and scholar; questioned the usual ideals
of Athens. His forming opinions and thoughts Socrates challenged many ideals and theology of his
time and men were greatly offended by him. Socrates had a way with the youth of Athens and this is
what made him a wanted man and for all purposes a guilty man. At this time Athens was growing and
transferring through a political change, one which Socrates was not favorable. Socrates did not
condone the system of democracy causing him to have men further...show more content...
In several of his teaching Socrates believed that having the soul as most important not to be
priorities of the men he was surrounded by. Socrates would be wrong to escape giving that his
whole teaching would cause him to be a hypocrite. He would be essentially the same as the men
who put him on trial. Theology of Socrates would not allow him to escape; running from jail
would cause him to have a moral dilemma. Understanding his views determines his faith in not of
bad judgment but faith in the truth. Also, it is apparent that Socratic ignorant is another reason
why he choose to stay because he was ignorant to the understanding of his own teaching. The
belief of not knowing his own intelligence leads the ideal of Socrates as man of thinking but not of
perfection. He did not know the values of his own words yet were threading to the poly god
society. Men of this society always saw this man as a danger however that could not get to him
because of amnesty. So insisting violation on the grounds of religion is how Socrates accuser was
able to make official charges. Socrates actions while seemingly calm appear also to be contemplated

Essay on Socrates' Fight for Justice
In Plato's works Apology and Crito there is an attempt by Socrates to defend himself in court and
defend his choice to receive the death penalty when found guilty. Although he makes very valid and
strong arguments throughout one can only wonder why such a wise person would choose death
over life. The following essay will analyze three quotes from Apology and Crito, find the correlation
between them, and reveal any flaws that may exsist inside these arguments made by Socrates.
In Plato's Apology Socrates explains to the jury the reasons he should be found not guilty against his
accused crimes. Although none of the accusations have any true merit Socrates is forced into the
courtroom. During his defense Socrates states, "A man who really...show more content...
Socrates would rather be punished or die before he breaks the laws that were set forth by his state,
and this he says later in the same passage, "I should run any risk on the side of law and justice
rather than join you. (Cahn pg. 38 Apology b10–c2)." Socrates is eventually found guilty and is to
fight no longer for his innocence, but against a penalty of death. As Socrates speaks to the jury he
begins to speak more of the meanings of life opposed to the need for life. He claims, "it is the
greatest good for a man to discuss virtue every day and those other things about which you hear me
conversing and testing myself and others, for the unexamined life is not worth living for men..
(Cahn pg. Apology39 38a1–4)." Although Socrates never explicitly states why he feels this way,
but upon reading this statement and analyzing its context one can grasp a sense of this argument.
Socrates is arguing that life is unlived if it is not questioned and our thoughts are not examined. He
understands that his wisdom is far greater than that of the jury, and he feels that all other
punishments would leave him unhappy and dissatisfied. He would rather suffer death than to go
against the laws of the state, although he is being wrongly convicted. He feels he has lived a good
life and a true life because he was able to examine himself and others true

Socrates Essay examples
Socrates
Philosophy was both serious and dangerous, Socrates chose to ignore both. Ignoring the first made
him one of the most engaging of all philosophers, ignoring the second was to cost him his life. He
was born in a middle class home in Athens, in 470 BCE. His parents were Phaenarete and
Sophroniscus. His mother had a reputation for her patient and intuitive skill in delivering babies in
and around the neighborhood. The latter, his father was a craftsman, stonecutter by trade.
As a young boy, Socrates was teased in school about his appearance, and often would prey to the
Gods to make him beautiful both inside as well as outside. He was known for asking many
questions as a child, because he was very...show more content...
He and his father along with many other people, including prisoners, foreigners and the
unemployed had taken up a public contract to build the Acropolis. The Athenians were proud
mostly of Pericles, because he was the one who founded and organized it. Anaxagoras, a scientist
nicknamed "the mind", who walked around Athens daily, had found a rock that had
fallen from the sky and had concluded that there were no gods, but that the sun was hot metal and
the moon earth. He was put on trial by the majority, who was religious, but Pericles sent him away
to Asia Minor where he lived to the last of his days in peace. Socrates agreed with Anaxagoras, but
wanted more answers and explanations. He listened to many other scientists and philosophers, but
when Anaxagoras' book came out in writing, he read about the "Mind" and that it was
the control of all living things, everything else was a "mixture". Socrates read on to
many other writings, but soon found himself confused in all the abstract concepts. Then, he
understood that he had to ask himself the question "why" instead of how, which
developed his philosophical view and style.
At the time when Socrates was reaching his late thirty's he became more prudent about life.
Chaerephon, one of his friends, went to the Oracle at Delphi to ask it if Socrates was the wisest.
The Oracle said he was. When this

Short Essay On Socrates
Socrates
The philosopher Socrates was born 470 BC, in Athens, Greece. He worked as a stone mason for
years before finding out that he loved philosophy. His family did not support his job change
because it left him and his family in poverty. One of his students Plato says the Socrates would not
accept any kind of payment, being the reason for his poverty. Socrates was said to have always taught
about the importance of the mind and the unimportance of the body. He thought that philosophy
should get practical results, for the greater good of the human race. Socrates did not believe in
tyranny or democracies, he believed that individuals with a complete understanding of one's self
should rule. And the more a person knows, the greater his ability...show more content...
Some of the things he wrote on his travels were The Apology of Socrates, Protagoras, Euthyphro,
Hippias Major and Minor and Ion. In these writings, Plato attempts to carry out Socrates's teachings.
After writing those Plato seems to write in his own voice on the central ideas of justice, wisdom and
moderation of the individual in The Republic. A little bit later he concentrates a little more on art,
including dance, music, drama and architecture.
Somewhere around 385 B.C.E., Plato established the Academy, where he was head of until his
death. He wanted a place where he could teach young people all his knowledge that he had built up
over the years. Where he could make the future leaders of Greece. It is at the academy where he
found one of is most promising young students Aristotle, who would keep his teachings going for
years to come. Plato died in Athens around 348 B.C.E., but his teachings still last to this

Essay on Socrates
The First Advocate for Free Speech – Socrates The precise facts about how and why the great Greek
philosopher Socrates was sentenced and executed remains one of the biggest puzzles in history,
even to this day. Socrates lived and philosophized in Athens, which is said to be the ancient model
for a democracy. Yet, it seems like the Athenians sentenced to death a respected member of their
society for speaking his mind and standing by his principles. Now how democratic is that? What
makes the situation more riddling is that the only two journals for the events surrounding the death of
Socrates are written by Plato and Xenophon, who are his followers. Some historians argue the picture
they presented in their works is intended to imply...show more content...
Maybe here he draws the conclusion that people are just not ready for his way of thinking and
that philosophizing is not a part of their democracy. He in a way condemns them by saying they
will be held responsible for "having killed Socrates, a wise man" (38c). He admits that he lost the
trial only because he did not say what "would have been most pleased to hear", suggesting that he
could if he wanted to, but that would make him unworthy of what he has been standing for all
these years. "I much prefer to die having made my defense speech in this way than to live in that
way," (38e) says Socrates referring to exile and having to live as a stranger from one city to
another and be unaccepted for who he is. Possibly, his decision has something to do with the fact
that Socrates was aged 70 at the time of the trial. There is now no way for him to develop much
further and to try and establish himself, all he has left now is simply standing his ground until the
end. With the Apology of Socrates the theory about Socrates not being able to defend himself falls,
as there is an enormous discrepancy that the person who could make unjust speech sound just could
have not defended himself properly if he wanted to. The point is he did not want to and did not
need to do it. Plato's work Crito naturally transitions us to the moment when Socrates is n his cell
and is

Essay The Life of Socrates
Socrates (470–399 BC) was a credited philosopher born in the city of Athens to father Sophroniscus
and mother Phaenarete. Despite his world–renowned contributions, he did not leave any written
accounts of his life. His story was taught through the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon,
along with Aristotle and Aristophanes in various forms of dramatic texts and histories. Among others,
Plato wrote many dialogues that quoted Socrates' exact words. Much of what we know comes from
this greatly influenced student. However, Plato being a literary artist, leads many to think that he
brightened up Socrates' teachings as a result of his positive bias. For this reason, much of his history
remains uncertain.
Ancient texts have come to...show more content...
This method of inquiry was known as the Socratic Method, and largely applies to the justice system
and morals of today.
Socrates' method of questioning was based on the belief that his wisdom was very limited; "I only
know that I know nothing" – Plato, Apology 21d. Unlike many other Athenians, Socrates stated that
his wisdom was limited to the awareness of his own ignorance. He was notorious for asking
questions, claiming to his lack of knowledge and wisdom, in which he would have to question to
acquire some form of the truth.
Contradicting his belief was an oracle that stated that there was no man wiser than Socrates.
Socrates had determined that, being only human (as opposed to a god), he had a severe lack of
wisdom. This motivated him to approach men of various occupations whom Athens had deemed the
wisest. Each man thought he held a great deal of wisdom. Paradoxically, this made the oracle
correct. If a man thought highly of his own wisdom, they are contrarily the least wise of all.
Socrates was aware of his ignorance, making him truly the wisest.
Socrates' life as a moral critic and social "gadfly" (one that upsets the social status quo) began after
the reading of the oracle. He did not agree with the Athenian notion of "might makes right", and often
questioned the collective immorality of his region. Instead of accepting societal norms without
question, he worked to bring these issues to the attention of the city. Among other concerns,

Essay On Socrates
Born in Athens, Socrates was a philosopher who was considered the wisest man of his time. He
created the Socratic method, which is the question and answer technique that is used in arguments
and debates today. Socrates stated that all real knowledge is within each person and saw things for
themselves for their own reasons. Over time he was soon accused of corrupting the youth of Athens,
because he was an atheist and introducing new spiritual ideas. He was placed on trial and later
sentenced to death due to his "corruptions" of society.
The Peloponnesian War weakened Athens as a city–state and impacted its empire as a whole.
Socrates was placed on trial in 399 BC after the Peloponnesian War and was accused by Anytus,
Lycon and Meletus. Allegedly, Socrates was...show more content...
When democracy was revived in Athens, it was easy to call out those who were involved in the
thirty tyrants, often known as the troublesome. Socrates was an easy target because he proposed
ideas unfavorable to democracy and did it openly, to say the least. The behavior of Socrates could
have been triggered by various beliefs. Socrates incentive was to education the youth of Athens and
point out their shortcomings also. His disagreement with democracy gave him the drive to show
people that democracy was a problem. Through investigation, Socrates went to the men who were
considered wise and test their wisdom. Examples such as craftsmen, proved Socrates right in such
that they believed that since they could succeed in one task, they could in others. These
investigations led Socrates to the idea that democracy was a problem and incentivized people to
agree. With Athens being a democratic institution and Socrates being against democracy, he may
have felt threatened by the system and therefor took it upon himself to educate the youth with his
ideas. His behavior motivated his accusers to bring him to trial

Reflection Paper On Socrates
Exploration Paper: Socrates Socrates viewed Philosophy very differently than Philosophers before
him. Most philosophers of the time had a very physical view of the world and cosmos, they looked
for answers through what was physical and seen. Socrates' contributions to Philosophy during his
lifetime influenced many of the views of philosophers of the time, and ultimately influenced our
views and beliefs. One particular point and the ultimate final argument that Socrates makes, which
many religions and ideologies dwell upon today, is that humans have an imperishable soul separate
from the body and that the soul is what carries on after death. Socrates didn't just influence one
particular branch of Philosophy, but Philosophy as a whole. Before him, we viewed Philosophy in
the physical world and cosmos, but not any further. With his arrival, he opened our eyes and showed
us how to practice Philosophy the "right" way. Instead of focusing on a single branch of philosophy,
he pursued anything that would lead him to wisdom. (Butler 821) His ultimate love for wisdom and
knowledge led him to appreciate the thought of what comes after death. Socrates is constantly
mentioning life after death. For example, in Plato's Phaedo he says, "...I not only do not grieve, but I
have great hopes that there is something in store for the dead..." at one point he calls it the "joys
of the blessed" and he believes that "man is a prisoner who has no right to open the door of his
prison and run away."

Socrates Essay
Socrates was perhaps the most interesting and influential thinker in the fifth century. He was
dedicated to careful reasoning and he wanted genuine knowledge rather than the victory over his
opponent. He learned the rhetoric and dialectics of the Sophists, the ideas of the Lonian
philosophers, and the general culture of Periclean Athens. Socrates used the same knowledge by the
Sophists to get a new purpose, the pursuit of truth. He called everything into question and he was
determined to accept nothing less than the truth.
He was well known for his skills in carrying on a conversation and his public speaking, but Socrates
never wrote a thing. We learned from his students, mainly Kenophon andPlato, about his...show
more content...
Socrates said, "The capacity for knowledge is innate in each man's mind." This simply meant to him
that when one is caught up in superficiality, then the truth does not shine through. He thought that
the people that were consumed in the shallow world would only see reality as mere shadows
compared to the truth. "The good", according to Socrates is "the source not only of the intelligibility
of the objects of knowledge, but also of their being and reality." He thought that when the mind is
preoccupied with a bad world, it does not see the truth.
Socrates thought that pleasure should not be taken to the extreme, because it will then be unhealthy
for the mind and body. He explains that the mind, body, and soul must all be in unison in order to
be healthy, then happiness will follow. Many people look for happiness by engulfing themselves in
life's highest pleasures and others look for contentment by over working themselves to be the richest.
However, these two extremes will not produce happiness but instead one should find peace by
seeking out the truth, and looking inside to find reality and true beauty.
The allegory of the cave illustrates the difference between the materialistic world and the
intelligible world. Socrates described a man with his arms and legs chained and with his neck in a
brace. This only lets the man see the wall with shadows.

Essay about Socrates
SOCRATES THE PHILOSOPHER Socrates is a noteworthy and important historical figure as a
philosopher, because of his and his pupils' influence on the development of the philosophical world.
His teachings, famous arguments, and ideas began the outgrowth of all later western philosophies.
Born in 469 BC just outside of Athens, Socrates was brought up properly, and thoroughly educated.
He was raised as most Athenians; developing both physical and mental strengths. Socrates then went
on to learn from Archelaus the philosopher. Here he studied astronomy, mathematics, and was
introduced to philosophy, which was a new concept at the time. Archelaus taught of explanations for
the world with a scientific approach. Socrates, however, turned away...show more content...
This means, for example, that when we think of characteristics such as roundness, we only
picture ideas of it like a ball or a wheel. Therefore, he assumed that we only understand specific
things that participate in our lives. In his search for the inner truth of oneself, Socrates theorized
the explanation to the question of what the goals of life are. He concluded that everyone tries to
find the meaning of happiness and goodness in their existence. This is the purpose of life.
However, true happiness comes in many forms and is disguised in a way that people spend their
lives looking for goodness, but finding only the evil in which it is concealed. The only way to
discover true happiness, goodness, and the right way, is to fully understand oneself. Socrates did
not believe in the Greek gods or religion. He had his personal view of god. Socrates felt that there
must be some form of divine power because everyone seemed to believe in some kind of god and
religion. He also believed in a sort of immortality. He hypothesized that there was an afterlife. His
explanation for it was that people who had achieved goodness in their lives knew where they were
going afterwards, and that evil people tried to ignore the fact that immortality existed. He preached
that the soul was a person's true being, and that our goodness in life reflected on the goodness of our
souls. According to Socrates, each individual

Essay on Socrates
In Crito, Plato recounts the last days of Socrates, immediately before his execution was to take
place in Athens. In the dialogue, Socrates' pupil, Crito, proposes that Socrates escape from prison.
Socrates considers this proposal, trying to decide whether escaping would be "just" and "morally
justified." Eventually, Socrates concludes that the act is considered "unjust" and "morally
unjustified." Socrates then decides to accept his fate and proceeded with his execution.
Socrates was a man who was in pursuit of the truth (Durant). In his refusal to accept exile from
Athens or a commitment of silence as a penalty, he chooses death and is thrown into prison. While
Socrates is awaiting his execution, many of his friends, including Crito,...show more content...
Socrates' argument moves from one of a general moral decision to the morality of his specific case.
He basically says: –One ought never to do wrong, –But it is always wrong to disobey the state,
–Therefore, one ought never to disobey the state (Durant) Since avoiding the sentence handed
down by the jury would be disobeying the state, Socrates decides not to escape. Socrates chose to
honor his commitment to truth and morality, even at the cost of his own life. One of the main
arguments made by Socrates, "Think not of life and children first, and of justice afterwards, but of
justice first...For neither will you nor any that belong to you be happier or holier or juster in this
life, or happier in another, if you do as Crito bids." –Socrates (Wolff45), is one of the most important
and crucial statements in the Crito dialogue.
Socrates provides a very convincing argument of why he should not escape from the Athenian
prison. He states that if he does as Crito suggests and escapes, it will not be justifiable or true, and
he will be contradicting his own teachings. Although his family and friends will be much happier
if he escapes, he will not follow the justice or moral code of the state in which he was born and
raised. Socrates also gives the idea that if he were to escape, his family and friends would be happy
for him, but their fellow citizens and their state in which they reside would not. The

Essay on Socrates and Plato
Socrates and Plato: Significant Philosophers of Ancient Greece
"The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living." This is the famous quote proclaimed by Socrates, a
controversial philosopher of ancient Athens. He believed that anyone could lead a significant and
meaningful existence by examining his or her own life and ideas very thoroughly. (Soccio)
Socrates was wise in respect to the fact that he never accepted a "truth" that was told to him, without
getting incontestable evidence to back it up. He made the realization that people believed in things
without even knowing where their ideas came from. In ancient Athens, citizens believed in many
gods and myths associated with them....show more content...
Is their one god I should obey, or how do I know when to support one god and when to follow
another?"
The priest was embarrassed by his question and witnesses snickered. (Philips)
This kind of questioning was typical of Socrates. His search for knowledge by asking questions is
known as the Socratic Method. (Soccio)
Socrates was put to death in 399 B.C.E. for allegedly "corrupting the youth of Athens", by
questioning the nature of their beliefs. (Fiero)
Socrates most famous student, Plato, took Socrates' teachings one–step further after his death. He
was angered by the death of his friend, and began to distrust government; namely, the Athenian
democracy. He thought that a rule by majority was corrupt, and that the majority of people were not
bright enough to make decisions for the state.
Plato attempted to demonstrate that there was proof of a "divine goodness" by several
illustrations. Such illustrations include his famous "Divided Line", "The Simile of the Sun", and
"The Allegory of the Cave". In these expressions, he aims to pick apart the foundation of
knowledge and where it comes from. He believed that human souls could ultimately reach the
highest level of reality and have a total understanding of all things. In other words, the soul who had
reached the highest level of understanding no longer needed to question or perceive things, because
he would recognize and comprehend "pure knowledge" or "pure goodness". (Soccio)
In a way, I think Plato was trying to

Socrates Argumentative Essay
In the argument of affinity, Socrates asked "what kind of thing is likely to be scattered? On behalf
of what kind of thing should one fear this, and for what kind of things should one not fear it?" (Plato,
78b, pp. 116). Socrates asked this question because he wants to prove that the soul is not a
composite, that it remains unchanged, thus cannot be destroyed. Socrates gave an example of beauty,
such as the beauty of people or clothing. Socrates asked Cebes if the beauty of an individual can be
compared to the beauty of another person. Cebes agreed that beauty of an individual can be
compared, thus their beauty can change. Socrates explained that this type of beauty if visible, and
because there is visible beauty, Socrates argued that there...show more content...
101). Thus, true philosophers should not fear death because they have been practicing dying.
Socrates pointed out that the separation of soul from the body is the process of death. Furthermore,
true philosopher have practiced separating their soul from their body by avoiding bodily pleasures.
By practicing proper philosophy, philosophers are more attentive to their soul, rather than bodily
pleasure, such as the pleasures of food and sex. Socrates asked Simmias "so in the first place, such
things show clearly that the philosopher more than other men frees the soul from the association
with the body as much as possible?" (Plato, 64e, pp. 102). Simmias agreed that philosophers goal is
to separate their bodily cravings from their soul. Additionally, Socrates stated that the body is an
obstacle in the search for knowledge because "the body confuses the soul and does not allow it to
acquire truth and wisdom whenever it is associated with it" (Plato, 66a, pp. 103). Because of this
goal, philosophers should view death as the complete separation of their soul from their body. Death
is not only a separation, but should be viewed as freedom from the body. Additionally, Socrates
argued that philosophers who do not fear death, are truly courageous and possess self–control. The

Socrates and his Philosophy Essay
Socrates and his Philosophy
Socrates makes a profound impact in our minds through his wisdom, power of critical thinking,
moral strength and intelligence. It is Plato who immortalizes Socrates in the popular imagination as
a man of profound knowledge. Socrates' effectiveness as a philosopher depended as much on the
strength and interest of his personality as on the power of his mind. Socrates' philosophy was based
on discovering the truth, understanding moral life and talking about the elements that make up a
good life. According to my judgment, one of the most important things about Socrates' quest was,
indeed, the unceasing habit and practice of being critical and thoughtful– of not being truly blind to
one's...show more content...
On one extreme, there are views according to which only certain definite kinds of lives or in the
most extreme versions only a single kind of life is best. On the other extreme, there are views
according to which there is no objective answer at all as to what sort of life is good, so that the
only relevant consideration is the person's own judgment. If people think that they are living good
or satisfactory lives, then they are, and there is nothing more to be said. Between those two
extremes life varies from person to person and perhaps other dimensions as well. There are some
objective conditions or requirements that must be satisfied for a life to be good. One may think that
the good life is one that contains lots of pleasurable experience and few if any painful ones.
Happiness seems to be the standard for measuring the good life to them. But Socrates believed
that, happiness cannot be the standard for the good life; the good life has to be gained through
avoiding bodily pleasure, because body always misguides us from gaining the real truth about our
lives. So, the definition of the good life completely depends on the people's own ideas, judgments
and beliefs. Socrates showed us in his very own way how wisdom interrelated with one's life and
afterlife as well. Pursuit of wisdom should be given most priority because wisdom makes people
aware

Essay on Socrates
The First Advocate for Free Speech – Socrates The precise facts about how and why the great Greek
philosopher Socrates was sentenced and executed remains one of the biggest puzzles in history,
even to this day. Socrates lived and philosophized in Athens, which is said to be the ancient model
for a democracy. Yet, it seems like the Athenians sentenced to death a respected member of their
society for speaking his mind and standing by his principles. Now how democratic is that? What
makes the situation more riddling is that the only two journals for the events surrounding the death of
Socrates are written by Plato and Xenophon, who are his followers. Some historians argue the picture
they presented in their works is intended to imply...show more content...
Trying to be humble and denying his believes would probably be the right strategy, but Socrates
just stays true to his principles. Even when saying we is a humble man who knows nothing, it is
obvious he does not mean it, he just puts a meaning behind it. In the progress of the trial Socrates
also claims that apart from being not guilty, he should be actually viewed as a hero. He mentions
his service in the battles against Sparta, and again going one step further he compares himself to the
great hero of the Trojan war – Achilles. The analogy made here is that Socrates like Achilles does
not keep into account "the matters of living and dying" (28b, Apology). Just like Achilles even
fear of death will not make him stop exercising his way of thinking and philosophizing the way he
always did. This basically means that the only way to make Socrates stop doing what he was
accused of is by sending him to death. He sees his manner of living as a duty. Socrates never got
paid for his work as a teacher, and therefore has never been restrained by the need of having to
satisfy anyone but his feeling of self–content. So what he does here is, saying that even though he
loves Athens, it will never make him change who he is and what he is destined to always do.
Socrates makes a point about how his way of thinking is the right one and should be adopted by this
democratic society, but is aware this is unlikely to happen now and will most

Biography of Socrates Essay
Socrates is known in todays world as one of the greatest philosophers in history. He brought many
revolutionary ideas to ancient Athens during his life and even after his death. He had many
followers that beloved him even till death. His tragic death only led him to become a martyr for
philosophy. Socrates never wrote anything down so what we know of his life is the from the
records left by his followers, mainly Plato.Socrates was born around 470 B.C. in Athens to a family
with moderate wealth. His father was a mason and his mother was a midwife. He followed his
father's footsteps and became a stone mason as his first job. He was a mason for a few years before
he decided to become a philosopher. Because of his family's wealth, he was...show more content...
Socrates was after the pursuit of truth. Because of this he called everything into
question(Philosophypages.com). He believed that ultimate wisdom came from understanding
oneself. He believed that the perfect government would come about if it was led by people that
had a complete understanding of themselves because they would be able to make the best choices.
He believed that knowledge and virtue were inseparable. He said that you could define virtue as
right knowledge, and that right thinking and right doing can be distinguished from each other, but
they can not be separated.(Sproul 31) Socrates also developed the Socratic Method which is still
used to this day. The Socratic Method is the method in which you ask provocative questions in order
to try to get your opponent and your audience to think through the problem and to develop their own
conclusion(Biography.com). He searched for specific definitions by asking people around the city,
from the common to the richest of nobles. Socrates also created ethics based on human reasons. He
was deemed the wisest man in Athens by an oracle, but after much thought he realized that he was
ignorant but unlike the common man, was wiser for accepting his ignorance and he came to the
conclusion that ignorance was the beginning of knowledge. He believed that logic was what was left
when the facts are exhausted. "One of the greatest

Socrates Essay
SOCRATES Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived between 470–399 B.C. He turned Greek
attention toward questions of ethics and virtue and away from those of the heavenly bodies. Socrates
spent much time in the Agora (marketplace) where he held conversations with townspeople. Socrates
believed that real truth could be found out through thought and collaboration with others. He was
known for exposing ignorance, hypocrisy, and conceit. Despite having many followers, Socrates was
disliked by most Athenians. At the age of 70, he was convicted of atheism, treason and corruption of
the young. He was originally ordered to leave Athens, but chose to drink poison instead. This great
man valued the law over his life, and so he chose to drank...show more content...
But after Athens lost her empire by losing the Peloponnesian War and had undergone two oligarchic
reigns of terror at the hands of the gilded, Socratified rich kids, her patience with Socrates ended.
Socrates was charged in 399 B.C. with "impiety against the gods of the city" and with
"corrupting the young." He was guilty on all counts. Socrates' basic premise of
government –– according to Xenophon's "Memorabilia" –– was "that it is the
business of the ruler to give orders and of the ruled to obey." So the ruler should have total,
unaccounted power. The second charge against Socrates, that he had corrupted the youth of Athens,
was even more damning. The foremost examples of the gilded youth he led astray was Alcibiades
and Critias, although Socrates' effect on the rich young aristocratic fops was already mentioned in
Aristophanes' "The Birds," written in 414 B.C., fifteen years before he was called to
account: Why, till ye built this city in the air, _____ line 1280 All men had gone Laconian–mad;
they went __ [Spartan–mad] Long–haired, half–starved, unwashed, Socratified, With scytales in their
hands; but Oh the change! They are all bird–mad now, and imitate ____ line 1284 Alcibiades was
Socrates' favorite pupil. Socrates saved his life on a battlefield. But the lesson Alcibiades learned
from Socrates was that the rulers have no duty to their country; that their

How Did Socrates Influence Society
Socrates once said, "I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think". Socrates was a
renowned philosopher that taught many of his religious and moral ideas to the youth, disobeying the
religion Polytheism, and speaking out on his philosophical ideas. He is speculated to have lived
between 470/469 – 399 BC in Athens Greece, which went through many government rulers and
systems. Socrates disobedience to the Governmental system and teachings caused many
repercussions back then and now about philosophy and free speech that is still seen today.
Socrates was influenced heavily in his day–to–day life, the wars he fought for, and who he spoke
with, that led him to be the man he's known for. One of these influences was his parents,
Sophroniscus...show more content...
The name Socrates was a household name back in 469 – 399 BC even though he didn't create any
philosophical system, established no schools, and didn't found any important persons
("Socrates"). Reasons for Socrates fame was because of his free ideas that he shared and his out
of the norm personality that drew in peoples attention. Secondly many people agree that Socrates
is the father of philosophy. Socrates is said to be the first Western philosopher to have left to
posterity any sense of his individual personality, and he is a main figure in the subsequent
development of philosophy . Because of his persistence in preaching his word and not contradicting
himself, people trust his stern ideas and are able to relate. Finally, many different religious figures
saw Socrates as a patron for their religion and morals.. The second–century Christian apologist Justin
stated that Socrates was a forerunner of Christianity, also in medieval Islam Socrates was a
respected philosopher and was symbolised as a defender of monotheism against idolatry (Taylor).
Muslims and Christians both saw Socrates as someone to be put on a pedestal to set an example
which says a lot. The philosophical ideas and the influence of ethics in society by Socrates are still
able to be today as well as they were back then. The disobedience of Socrates towards the
Government in Athens that caused many repercussion was prevalent then, and still is today. The
influence, fight, and final outcome

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