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How Did Socrates Influence Society

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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…

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

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