Socrates versus Nelson Mandela Essay

In these, he tested to see how wise so-called wise men were and each and every time he claimed that these men were not wise at all. Socrates went and tested all sorts of men from poets, politicians, and artisans. He claimed that all were inferior to him because they claimed to know much when they knew not much at all. And that, although he did not know all the tings these men knew, he was still wiser. He went so far as to tell these men what he thought, and even stated all these feelings in the court. This, no doubt, led to his general hatred more than any other act. But I wonder, had anyone ever questioned Socrates? And on what basis did he judge wisdom? Socrates claimed that a man who thought themselves the wisest were the least, but that is exactly what he was, a man who thought himself the wisest. Maybe he was the type of person to dislike any man who’s intellect challenged his own. “Is there not here conceit of knowledge, which is a disgraceful sort of ignorance? And this is the point in which, as I think, I am superior to men in general.”

“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 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.

avenues for the philosophical life. Socrates defines death as the release of the soul from the body . This definition implies both a view of death as placing distance between the soul and the body during this life and a complete separation at the moment of death. The responsibility of the philosopher is to seek liberation here in this life and, in so doing, to prepare for the afterlife, as preparation for both the literal and figurative deaths coalesce into a single activity.

Socrates tells a story in an attempt to explain this. It starts with a man named Chaerephon, a well respected citizen of Athens, who had died recently. Chaerephon goes to the Oracle at Delphi and "he asked if there was anyone wiser than" Socrates. (Apology, Plato, Philosophic Classics, page 23) The Oracle, of course, says that there is no man wiser than Socrates. When Socrates heard of what the Oracle said, he begins to wonder what riddle is hidden in those words. He knows that he is not a wise man, so he knows that he cannot be the wisest of men. Not knowing what then Oracle truly meant, he goes out to investigate this. He went to a man who was reputed to be very wise. He thought that he would find a man who is wiser than himself, and thus point out to the Oracle its mistake. Socrates finds that this man actually knows nothing that is worth knowing. When Socrates tries to point this out to the man, he and the bystanders become angry. Socrates says that he is wiser than this man because, while they both know nothing, Socrates realizes this. The other man thinks he knows things that he does not, while Socrates knows that he knows nothing. Socrates claims that he has done this with many men, and that each time, he came to the same result: the man knows nothing and thinks he knows everything, and Socrates has made the man angry. In continuing to do this, Socrates made many men angry, and that anger turned into

Socrates, being known for stirring up arguments amongst the city’s “wisest” men, grew widely unpopular in the community. This unpopularity, and many other troubles led Socrates to be accused and sentenced to trial for corrupting the youth, and of not believing in the Gods of the city. During Socrates’ trial, he brings up arguments about why we should not fear death, just as he does not. In this essay I will cover Socrates’ two arguments about death, their inconsistencies, and explain why Socrates changed his position about death towards the end of the trial. While Socrates is being held

Character is not a personality someone claims they have. Character is how people see you. If you flaunt and boast saying you have character there is is no consistency neither direction. True character is not going around saying or boasting you character, but by living it. The best way to be an example is to live one and that will speak for itself. True character is having integrity and not just when others are watching but when you are alone; are you still going to behave the same way. Nelson Mandela and Socrates both exhibited true character. Whether to take a stand for what they believe or to go against the status quo of society even if it meant death through their beliefs, values, and actions.

Socrates, born in Athens, without the ability to read or write, became the pioneer of philosophy as we know it today (Mityok1, 2007). Socrates believed that his life’s purpose was centered around the concept of helping the citizens of Athens become more morally perfect- he achieved this objective by discussing questions of justice and virtue and by trying to understand and create moral standards (Mityok1, 2007). Moreover, Socrates perfected his method of searching for the truth by helping others “give birth to new ideas” (Mityok1, 2007). Socrates considered himself to be the wisest among all the others in Athens because although he knew that

Sadly, we know of Socrates’ fate and with him trying to change Athens for the better it backfires on him. But, Socrates leaves those who attended his trial his with some final words that speak to who he is and how he felt about what he was doing regarding his philosophy. “If, I say, now, when, as I conceive and imagine, God orders me to fulfil the philosopher's mission of searching into myself and other men, I were to desert my post through fear of death, or any other fear; that would indeed be strange, and I might justly be arraigned in court for denying the existence of the gods, if I disobeyed the oracle because I was afraid of death: then I should be fancying that I was wise when I was not wise. For this fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being the appearance of knowing the unknown; since no one knows whether death, which they in their fear apprehend to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good” (Apology, Plato).

Daily he could be found questioning the masses on popular beliefs in the market square of the City of Athens. His philosophy on searching for answers brought him to popularity, his demise, and a long lasting legacy. Although he was charged with the crime of corrupting the youth of Athens, Socrates stood firm on his beliefs while accepting the laws under which he was tried and made no attempt to escape his punishment of death. This would become his legacy for many to follow and learn from.

Today, we are here to mourn the death of our dear friend Socrates. He was the one of the greatest thinkers of our time. He stuck to his beliefs, regardless to the criticism and judgment from the Greek government. He challenged the fundamental Greek belief systems, and refused to give in to the pressure of the Greeks. Socrates faced death without fear. He welcomed this new chapter in his life. With Socrates death, the question arises: Should we flee from death, or should we face it head on such as Socrates did?

To begin with, Socrates states that death is not bad. He thinks that we should not fear death because we do not know what awaits us or what is coming therefore there is no reason for us to feel scared. Socrates, himself, says all these things while he knows he is about to die so it makes the audience feel a sense of security because usually people who know they are going to die do not handle it in a calm and collected manner. At the same time, because he has not experienced death yet, Lucretius may oppose his opinions because Socrates does not actually know what awaits him after he dies. Lucretius would argue and say that the soul does not move forward and that we as humans are no longer moving forward after death.

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