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
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Socrates life in the military as an infantryman was short lived, but was reasonably prosperous. It was once said that if everyone in the battle of Delium in 424, had acted like Socrates then the battle wouldn’t have been lost (“Socrates”). War can impact anyone, no matter how tough and certainly impacted Socrates in his philosophical Ideas. If Socrates did not experience and learn what he did, then he wouldn't have been the influential, wise figure that we view him as today, through the influences Socrates encountered he was able to challenge the system by going against the religion in place Polytheism and influencing the youth with his philosophical ideas. His philosophies that he believed in and thought up went against what was meant to be taught. Socrates did not obey some of the radical rulers at the time and refused to conform. Socrates risked his life when the democracy was overthrown by a junta known as the Thirty Tyrants (“Socrates”). He did not obey the tyrants in the arrest of an innocent man by refusing their legality and morality. This shows how Socrates upholds his beliefs and is not easily pushed aside. Secondly Socrates didn’t use his ideas and beliefs as a way to earn money. Socrates did not sell his ideas on philosophy, but rather got money from his wealthier friends he had (Taylor). He wouldn't sell his ideas because he believed that knowledge should be free, and shows that he didn’t do …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
Most of the information that we learn about Socrates comes from the work and writings of one of his students, Plato. It has been alleged that the great Philosopher wrote nothing down for others to read, and as such, the knowledge and the teachings from Socrates that is relied upon to convey his philosophy and the epic story of his life comes not from himself, but his students who attempt to provide and accurate picture of the methods and philosophical beliefs held by their mentor and teacher.
Socrates was a Western Ancient Athenian Greek philosopher who lived from 469 BCE until his death in 399 BCE. He was a student to another philosopher, Sophists, Socrates was different from most Greek philosophers he wanted to get at the truth and find out how one can truly be ‘good’ and moral in life. “To Socrates the soul is identified with the mind; it is the seat of reason and capable of finding the ethical truths, which will restore meaning and value of life” (ADD IN-TEXT CITATION SEMINAR). We continue to use many of Socrates teachings today, such as, ‘The Socratic method’, which is known as asking a question and within these questions you lead it to the answer you wanted to hear, many uses this as a teaching technique and is shown to be highly effective. A great number of Athenians looked up to Socrates and considered him the wise man of Athens, he had many followers whom would ask questions and seek answers. As popularity and following of Socrates grew so did accusations. The charges laid on Socrates by the Athenians were unjust and therefore his death was highly wrong in the eyes of true democracy that Athens was apparently known for. In this paper, I will discuss how Socrates was wrongfully convicted for the corruption of the youth despite having many young followers, introducing new Gods while still being considered an Atheist, and the main reason he was seen as a threat to Athens was that he brought change to the city.
Socrates was a Greek philosopher who stood for knowledge and virtue. He believed that in order for people to live their best lives, it is necessary for them to do what is right. “It is wicked and shameful to do wrong, to disobey ones superior, be he god or man (Cooper, 29b).” Socrates represents self-knowledge which is evident through his quest for finding someone who was wiser than he was. After his run ins with the likes of the local politicians, craftsmen and poets, Socrates comes to the realization that although these individuals had mastered their craft and were knowledgeable in their field of work, they were clueless in many other important aspects of life. Through this awareness, he accepts the fact that
Socrates was a great thinker and debater dedicated to truth. He spent his golden years walking the streets of Athens in pursuit of wisdom. Socrates lived the destiny that was revealed to him in the Oracle. He created and perfected his own cross-examination technique; we today know it as the Socratic Method. He was thorough and unrelenting. His subjects were often humiliated. Socrates would methodically disprove anyone he thought was wrong. In his eyes, most of the people he interviewed were blind. It did not matter if one was wealthy and influential or if they were young and impressionable. Socrates could question anyone and turn him or her inside out. Unfortunately, he did so without regard to the
The portrayal of Socrates, through the book “the trial and death of Socrates” is one that has created a fairly controversial character in Western history. In many ways, Socrates changed the idea of common philosophy in ancient Greece; he transformed their view on philosophy from a study of why the way things are, into a consideration man. Specifically, he analyzed the virtue and health of the human soul. Along side commending Socrates for his strong beliefs, and having the courage to stand by those convictions, Socrates can be commended for many other desirable characteristics. Some of those can include being the first martyr to die for his philosophical beliefs and having the courage to challenge indoctrinated cultural norms is part of
Socrates put one’s quest for wisdom and the instruction of others above everything else in life. A simple man both in the way he talked and the wealth he owned, he believed that simplicity in whatever one did was the best way of acquiring knowledge and passing it unto others. He is famous for saying that “the unexplained life is not worth living.” He endeavored therefore to break down the arguments of those who talked with a flowery language and boasted of being experts in given subjects (Rhees 30). His aim was to show that the person making a claim on wisdom and knowledge was in fact a confused one whose clarity about a given subject was far from what they claimed. Socrates, in all his simplicity never advanced any theories of his own
In life the one thing that mattered the most to Socrates was education and virtue, for he spends most of his time educating the youth and helping the citizens of Athens write their wrong.
The shaky past of Athens, after the loss of the war against the Spartans and the overthrow of the democracy they loved and fought for caused suspicion in Socrates who had association to Critas, a bloodthirsty tyrant in an oligarchy called the “Thirty Tyrants” From a harmless town character Socrates influence on the youth of Athens was being questioned.
Socrates was a man that was on a mission is search of the truth about wisdom. As a philosopher he would never settle for one simple answer, he would take every angel of an argument therefore even a simple idea would be argued until his opponent would be frustrated enough to quit.
Socrates is also one of the great character in history who does not agree with things that he does not belief or important to him. He disagreed with the Athens god, because they worship the body, also known as the Greek Idea of the body (what the male or female should look like: beautiful fat, muscle, etc.). Society of Peacock in which people walk around with self- appraiser of their body image. Socrates always disagree with the people of Athens and there democracy system and religious belief. “Socratic dialogue” is conversation of question and answer, almost close to debate. Socrates education principle is still important to the educational system. He believed, that “the educated person cannot be educated until you realize what you
Socrates was born to a middle-class Athenian family. “Phaenarete, a midwife, and Sophroniscus, a stonemason welcomed Socrates into the world in 469 B.C.E” (Ambury). Socrates grew into a young man with an odd physical appearance. He did not have the male beauty that was sought after in his culture. Although, he didn’t seem to mind much as he was focused on enlightenment. Socrates would spend much of his time searching for truth. Socrates goal was to discover the truth behind the creation of the earth, the people, and the role of the gods. In searching for truth, he created a new method known as the Socratic Method. Plato became one of his students and was intrigued by his new way of thinking. “Socrates would later fight in the Peloponnesian
In the beautiful city of Athens, Greece, there was a philosopher Socrates, and his "Socratic method," was laid on the groundwork for the Western systems of logic and philosophy. Socrates did believe that he didn't know anything, and It was because of this that the Oracle told Socrates that he was wise and that he should seek out the 'wise men' to hear what they had to say. So Socrates began to travel to different parts of Greece to question the suppose 'wise’ men to see if they really knew all the answers to life. The youth laid their eyes on Socrates since he possessed a different way of thinking and living. His unique method of questioning and insulting was believed that he
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.
Socrates is known in today’s world as one of the greatest philosophers in history. Born in 469 BC just outside of Athens, Socrates was properly brought up and thoroughly educated, he developed both physical and mental strengths. Socrates spent time with the philosopher Archelaus, where he studied astronomy, mathematics, and was introduced to philosophy. Archelaus taught with a scientific approach. Socrates turned from this approach and created his own. He decided instead of trying to understand the universe, he would try to understand himself. Socrates spent many days in the Athens marketplace where he became skilled in the art of arguing.
29d). Unlike his fellows Athenians, Socrates cares little “whether a person is beautiful, or rich, or famous in any other way that most people admire” (Sym. 216e). Unwilling to compromise his own values, Socrates continues to challenge those around him, even at the risk of losing his own life. In Plato’s Crito, Socrates likens himself to Achilles who, insistent on avenging Patroclus’ death, “belittled death and danger, fearing much more to live as a bad man and not to avenge his friends” (Apo. 28c). Socrates holds little regard for his wellbeing when the threat of being unfaithful to his beliefs is at hand.