preview

The Philosophy of Socrates and Confucius

Better Essays

Socrates and Confucius
Philosophy is the study of the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. The occupation of the philosopher is in trying to understand the world around us, trying to determine the truth of the world and of humanity, and essentially to explain things which are more or less unexplainable. Certain issues have fascinated philosophers because they are universal and apply to all human beings regardless of class, gender, ethnicity, religion, or age. The concepts of human existence, why humans exist and what makes them exist are often discussed by philosophers. Perhaps the only concept which appears more frequently in philosophic writings than the topic of existence is the ideas about life and death. All human beings will eventually die; it is the one thing in life which is absolutely certain. This concept was the basis for much of the writings of the great thinker Socrates. Given his beliefs about the nature of life and death, it is no surprise that when he was sentenced to death by the Greek authorities; he did not run nor beg for mercy, but instead took the poison and died as the court had ruled he must. In doing so, he was affirming both his belief in the state and in the hereafter. Since he did not belief that the soul ever ended, it makes sense that he did not see his death as a horrendous punishment as many do.
In Ancient Greece, one of the most preeminent philosophers of the society was Socrates who was eventually too powerful in his ability to

Get Access