Socrates The Soul Man - 2954 Words

Socrates: Soul Man Intro (245 words) How you have felt, O men of Athens, at hearing the speeches of my accusers, I cannot tell; but I know that their persuasive words almost made me forget who I was - such was the effect of them; and yet they have hardly spoken a word of truth.† - Apology, 17A So, as told by Plato, Socrates began his defence before an Athenian jury on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth of the city. However, the real aim of these accusations seems to have been to challenge the way in which Socrates had conducted his life—a life dedicated to the continuous debate of various ethical issues and the attainment of wisdom and truth. Indeed, Socrates’ importance to the development of philosophy, considered by many to be the greatest achievement of the Greeks, cannot be understated. Socrates did not invent philosophy. There were several intellectuals and schools of thought before him that began the work of questioning the nature of life, fate, free will, the gods and human duty. However, it was Socrates who shifted the focus of philosophical inquiry from the natural world to the examination of man himself, which proved to be an remarkable advance, forever changing the purpose of philosophy. Therefore, it is noteworthy to identify the Presocratic Greek philosophers who have helped shape Socrates’ own philosophical inquiry. Equally important is to understand which intellectual traditions he was reacting against by virtue of his philosophicalShow MoreRelatedThe Apology: The Understanding of the Soul in Life and Death Essay1735 Words   |  7 Pagesbrief synopsis of each major theme, with an analysis and my opinion following, and ending with the question of Socrates own death. Firstly, Plato introduces the important concept that it is far worse for one to do wrong than to suffer wrongdoing. Socrates, refusing to be harmed by Meletus, believes that â€Å"it is not allowed that a good man be injured by a worse† (pg. 41). Despite Socrates impending death or banishment, he does not think that these are the worst possible situations and still goesRead MoreThe Ethical Egoist: Whats the Problem in Plato’s The Republic, Socrates824 Words   |  3 PagesIn Plato’s The Republic, Socrates tries to explain the value of justice to man. Other educated Athenians challenge him, however Socrates pokes holes in all of their statements. Socrates argues that there are many problems with their views on social philosophy, especially when it comes to Thrasymachus’ idea of ethical egoism. Plato delivers his view of justice through Socrates when he responds to Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Cephalus on the issue. Throughout the discussion, Plato never argues againstRead MoreThe Dialogue Of Platos Alcibiades 1, Socrates And His Friend Alcibiades Essay1286 Words   |  6 Pages1, Socrates and his friend Alcibiades, are having a conversation which involves Socrates sharing his knowledge, which turns very controversial. The interaction entails that a man does not understand what a women does, and vice versa, so they conclude that some subjects are for men and some are for women. Because they do not comprehend each other, a man and a women, there is no â€Å"agreement with them† which translates that there is no friendship either since agreement equals friendship. Socrates confirmedRead More No Harm Can Come to a Good Man Essay1159 Words   |  5 PagesCan Come to a Good Man Whether Socrates is portrayed correctly or not, he certainly was a great man. His contribution to western thought cannot be denied. For even if his teachings were different from what they are known to be at present, his influence on Plato is immense. And so, it is no small matter to describe the tragic passing of such a man as Socrates was and remains for philosophy today. Yet in all the indignation which is expected to arise at the death of Socrates, the panache withRead MoreGlaucon in the Republic1047 Words   |  5 PagesIn Platos Republic, Glaucon is introduced to the reader as a man who loves honor, sex, and luxury. As The Republic progresses through books and Socrates arguments of how and why these flaws make the soul unhappy began to piece together, Glaucon relates some of these cases to his own life, and begins to see how Socrates line of reasoning makes more sense than his own. Once Glaucon comes to this realization, he embarks on a path of change on his outlook of wh at happiness is, and this change isRead MorePlatos The Republic and The Apology1714 Words   |  7 Pageslife is desirable. Plato, writing through Socrates, identifies in The Republic what he thought justice was through the creation of an ideal city and an ideal soul. Both the ideal city and the ideal soul have three components which, when all are acting harmoniously, create what Socrates considers to be justice. Before he outlines this city and soul, he listens to the arguments of three men who hold popular ideas of the period. These men act to legitimize Socrates’ arguments because he finds logical errorsRead MoreThe Soul and the Body: The Writings of Plato1766 Words   |  7 PagesThe Soul and the Body Philosophy is an old profession going back to the beginnings of recorded history. Since the times of the Greeks and Romans, people have taken it upon themselves to question the reality of their worlds and to wonder what it is that causes people to behave the ways that they do and what it means even to just be human. Plato, one of the most famous of the ancient philosophers, was taught by another most famous philosopher, Socrates a man perhaps even better known than him. UnfortunatelyRead More Justice In Book I Of The Republic Essay example889 Words   |  4 Pagesquestion. The conversation between Socrates and the aged Cephalus becomes a philosophical discussion of what advantages money has brought to Cephalus life. Cephalus replies that money has allowed him quot;to tell the truth and pay ones debtsquot; (331 b). Nevertheless, Socrates believes this does not portray an accurate description of what justice is. The rest of the first book is a discussion of the definition of justice, mainly that of Thrasymachus definition. Socrates takes his normal role as anRead MoreEssay about Socrates vs Gilgamesh1173 Words   |  5 PagesJoe Arce 19 Sept 2011 Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Socrates’ view of death in the Phaedo, Crito, and Apology is complex. His argument tries to prove that philosophers, of all people, are in the best state to die or will be in the best state after life because of the life they lead. Socrates’ views are sharply contrasted in The Epic of Gilgamesh. In fact, he would probably say that Gilgamesh had not lived the proper kind of life and his views of life, and death would lead to an unsettled existence in theRead MoreInnate Knowledge and Death1744 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom? Where does the soul come from? If one was to take into consideration the Christian Holy Bible, Genesis 2: 7 which states: â€Å"And the lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.† Socrates’ argument of innate knowledge stands along with the beliefs of Christianity, because Adam formed of the dust of the earth and Eve from his rib were given knowledge of everything. Socrates states: â€Å"Thus the soul, since it is immortal