Socrates, Man of Many Colors

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.

Even though Socrates was on his deathbed, he was still teaching and arguing with his students. He wanted his students and friends to understand that it was for the good of society that he dies. I believe Socrates was thinking about the future and how his death would be a lesson for someone else. Socrates was also telling his students that he was not going to disobey the law. Socrates’ students and friends could have taken him to another city. That would have made Socrates a liar about what he was teaching all along. Even though the students and friends were crying and grieving over Socrates’ death, Socrates was not comforting them or fleeing to another city. Socrates was just teaching them his strong belief in justice and loyalty to the government. This was very devastating to his friends.

“it is time for me to die, and for you to live- though which of us has the better destiny is unclear to everyone, save only to God.” So with this statement, Socrates seems to contradict himself and admits that nobody really knows whether it is better to be alive than dead. This statement also clearly identifies the fact that he believes in a supreme being so there is no way he could believe that there is no life after death. He in fact several times speaks about how his obedience to his God is of the utmost importance. Essentially this whole argument about death with no after life being a favorable outcome is completely preposterous. He would be abandoning his family, friends and his principles further contradicting

His statement clarifies his reasons for not escaping death. Therefore, Socrates was not clearly right in escaping and would have violated his principles.

Socrates should not escape from prison to avoid his death sentence because he would be breaking the law which ultimately led to him straying away from his own principles. He was a person who believed in what was just and doing what was morally correct. If he were to escape from prison, he would essentially be harming others and the State. He thought through harming others, he would be harming himself and his soul, so Socrates did not believe in harming others and thought it was unjust and morally wrong. Even though Socrates had the opportunity to escape and he was given plenty of reasons from his friends to do so, he did not want to go against what he believes in and his philosophy. He could not live a life where he would have to stop

Finally i will have to tell you who is this man you are falsely accusing today. Even though we all, men of Athens, hates Socrates’s way of seeing and doing things and the way he embarrassed our greatest men of Athens in public. But the past had proven to us that he is a good wise man that rarely been mistaken in term of what was good for Athens. Moreover, one event that we cant forget is the trail of the 8 Generals where he oppose the exception of the 8 men. Even though he was threaten to take the same fate as theirs. Athenian thought he was crazy back then and ordered to execute the 6 Generals they have at hand and the same fate awaits for those who fled. However, few years later Athens needed as much strong men as they can get so they dropped

He knows that when he is put to death, they will be the ones at a loss of his knowledge and true wisdom. He still believes he has gained no reasons to think that he can lose in death as his acts were not for material gain (28-29). Socrates has shown no fear for being hated by the majority of Athens, yet still finds himself being accused of serious crimes leading to his death.

Socrates has a unique position in the history of philosophy. On one hand he is the most influential on another he is the least known. In his later life he is seen to stalk the streets barefoot, to spite shoemakers. He went about arguing and questioning people and revealing inconsistencies in their beliefs. He began teaching students but never accepted payments for doing so. This was possible because of the inheritance left by his father. Socrates wrote nothing of himself so we are dependent upon the works of both his students and associates who present a view as close to

Throughout the course of the Phaedo, Socrates argues that the soul is immortal. Because he believes that his soul will live on forever, Socrates claims that he is not afraid to die. Socrates was sentenced to death and due to the fact that he took the poison earlier than when was necessary, many believe that he committed suicide. Contrary to what may be presumed about Socrates’ death, I will argue that he is a martyr and did not commit suicide.

This reinforces the idea that giving up his life is not sacrifice to him. Socrates values the truth, yet he knows that he does not have the truth. Socrates believes that dying is not a consequence for himself, but rather for the people of Athens. They can choose to listen to him now, or wait for someone else to come along again to challenge them. Therefore, Socrates can die, and would rather die because at least he has the chance to continue speaking after his death. To conclude, although Socrates’ death may have been voluntarily, it is not noble.

In the face of death, Socrates had the option to flee the city of Athens, but refused as it would have been in direct violation of his moral principles. In the Crito, Socrates discusses why he has a duty to stay and face his charge, as well as why the action of fleeing would be unethical. To Socrates, breaking one law would be an injustice to all laws and would cause great harm to the city of Athens. To escape would have been an injustice to Athens itself. As a citizen of Athens, Socrates was endorsing, and willing to abide by the law, and to break the law now - after 70 years of life - would in effect negate everything that he had advocated throughout his

The significance of this quote is a representation of how Socrates feels about death. He believes that no one can escape death therefor shouldn’t fear death at all. Fearing the unknown is not going to get us anywhere expect limit our potential. He also believes that it is not difficult to refrain from death but it is difficult to stay away from evil since it surrounds us all. I believe this quote demonstrates the high believe Socrates acquires about death and the idea of the after life to convince the jury because he was trying to demonstrate to the jury that he is not scared death because he is willingly accepting his fate.

Socrates believed that disobedience would destroy the laws cause the state an injury, because citizens are strongly bound to the Laws, thus he refused to break the state laws and simply escape. It wouldn’t be right for Socrates to withdraw the arguments he offered in the very beginning just because now he is facing execution. Since the State is held together by the Laws, it will no longer have effect if anyone can disobey laws. One of the strongest reasons Crito provided for Socrates why he should escape: by choosing to accept his execution he would be abandoning his sons and who should take care of Socrates’ sons afterward. Socrates points out the there would not be any difference by running away and leaving them behind in Athens.

On the day of Socrates’ execution, conducted by the state of Athens, he has a number of friends and philosophers join him in his cell to discuss his perceptions on death and his soul in the afterlife. During his final conversation preceding his passing, Socrates presents four arguments for the soul’s immortality and suggests that each genuine philosopher should not be fearful of death, but should instead look forward to it. While I agree with Socrates on the premise that the soul is immortal, I do not feel that any of his arguments are sufficient enough to prove this belief to be true. Plato’s Phaedo allegedly recounts these events and departing conversations with Socrates. Socrates’ first argument regarding the soul’s immortality focuses

The Death of Socrates - Similarities INTRO: Condemned to death or exile by the Athenian government for his teaching methods which aroused scepticism in his students due to his promotion of free thought and monotheism, Socrates rejected exile and accepted his death in the form of hemlock. Two famous depiction are given of his final moments. One, an oil canvas painted by artist Jacques-Louis David depicting Socrates’ final moments in his chamber, and the other by Socrates’ then student Plato in his four part dialogue 'The Trial and Death of Socrates'.