Socrates essays

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In Plato’s Alcibiades I, the relationship between Socrates and Alcibiades is a perfect example of seeing beyond the flaws of another and guiding them to be the best version of themselves. Socrates is defined as an erotic character who strives for truth and self-perfection in the form of wisdom and virtue. On the other hand, Alcibiades is young and ignorant of the truth. Socrates approaches the young Alcibiades during a time when Alcibiades was losing contact with his self and...
3 Pages 1537 Words
In this narrative, I will attempt to explain the Apology, by Socrates. He proclaimed his innocence of charges that he had suborned the youth men Of Athens and he would attempt to plead his case in front of several Athenian Council members (Alan De Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy, (New York, Vintage Books, 2000),28-29. He believed that Philosophy should attain real results for the greater good of society. He also strived to institute an ethical system based on mortal reason...
2 Pages 796 Words
Plato's 'The Apology' is a dialogue that provides Plato's version of a speech given by Socrates to defend himself against the charges of corrupting the youth and impiety, charges that Socrates ultimately was convicted of and sentenced to death. This dialogue contains one of the most frequently cited lines in the entire history of Western thought. When speaking to the jury to explain why he can't simply stop what he is doing, why he can't stop annoying people by constantly...
2 Pages 904 Words
Ignorance is usually an ability that any person would now not know. In truth, lack of knowledge is the having faith that there is any individual who can be aware of something, and that there is any man or woman who can be conscious of him or herself. Socrates and Plato had substantial and one-of-a-kind views on how they portrayed ignorance. For Socrates, who was considered as the wisest man in the world, ignorance is a virtue in his eyes....
1 Page 541 Words
Introduction Socrates, the enigmatic philosopher of ancient Athens, remains an enduring symbol of wisdom, virtue, and intellectual inquiry. Born in 469 BCE, his profound impact on Western thought and philosophy has left an indelible mark on history. This essay explores the life, ideas, and enduring contributions of Socrates, delving into his philosophical concepts, particularly those concerning the mind, body, and preexistence, while also considering the meditative aspect of his teachings. Socrates’s Life Socrates was born into humble beginnings in Athens,...
2 Pages 875 Words
In Euthyphro, why does Socrates want to know what Piety is? Why was Socrates happy to run into Euthyphro, and where and when he did? Was Euthyphro helpful to Socrates? Yes, no, why? Socrates has been persecuted by Meletus for corrupting the youth, inventing new gods, and denying the existence of old ones, therefore, Socrates wants Euthyphro (a supposed great theologian) to explain what piety is so he can defend himself in the court so Euthyphro claims to know the...
1 Page 679 Words
Classical Greece generated a variety of philosophical schools of thought, including the sophists and the physical, that influenced each other to some degree. The most famous to come from Classical Greece was Socrates and his dialectic approach to the question of the nature of things. Comparatively, Socrates is the most similar to the sophists because, in likeness to a sophist, he often stumps and humiliates the person who he is conversing with and does not seek the truth despite claiming...
1 Page 495 Words
In John Locke’s book The Second Treatise of Government, he expresses the importance of property rights in regard to its reflexiveness toward labor. With property rights, others are able to own different things with full ownership and use it towards their own advantage however they would like. Thereby, Locke demonstrates that labor demonstrates the legitimacy of one’s possessions even if the Earth is held by the commons. On the other hand, Socrates would disagree with Locke’s idea of the importance...
6 Pages 2662 Words
Why is Socrates dissatisfied with the explanations given by Anaxagoras? What does he suggest instead in Plato’s Phaedo? In this paper, I will first discuss the philosophy of Anaxagoras, particularly his theories on the infinite elements (chremata), and the Mind (nous). This will be followed by Socrates’s search for his own theory for the causes of how everything is the way everything is. I will raise questions in the irony within this theory and proceed on to discussing its inadequacy...
4 Pages 1927 Words
To start with a quick paraphrase of the reading Euthyphro written by Plato, Socrates meets a young prophet by the name of Euthyphro in Athens Greece. Socrates and Euthyphro are at the courthouse due to their actions that relate to being devout, which turns out to be the central theme of the story. In the reading, we see that Euthyphro is prosecuting his dad for behaving immoral because he allowed a murderous slave who the father had thrown in a...
1 Page 594 Words
I’d like to preface this paper with the following quote, not because it is directly relevant to my thesis or point, but because I find it “awesomely hilarious.” “Take what has to do with the body to the point of bare need, such as food, drink, clothing, house, household slaves, and cut out everything that is for reputation or luxury.” -Epictetus (Handbook of Epictetus pg. 23) “It’s only through reasoning and intellect, not through the body, that the one can...
2 Pages 1094 Words
In the Apology and in Clouds, we are shown two very different depictions of Socrates’ beliefs on the gods of Athens. In the Apology, we see a version of Socrates that is fairly unconcerned with the discussion of the gods, and more interested in the discussion of the public good. In contrast, the Clouds shows us a picture of Socrates, ready to argue and debate the presence and nature of the gods. Demonstrating his outlook on life at vastly different...
5 Pages 2083 Words
In Don Nardo’s The Trial of Socrates, Socrates is quoted as stating, “We should not be concerned about winning fame or political honors, but rather should try to gain more intelligence, to arrive at more knowledge of truth, and to develop finer character.” His devotion to virtue and good character during his life demonstrates just how axial Socrates was. Yet in 399 BCE he was executed by Athens, the Greek city state that is known as the world’s first pure...
3 Pages 1205 Words
Throughout history, great philosophers have explored the idea of happiness, two of these great philosophers are Chuang Tzu and Socrates. It can be argued that there are similarities and differences in their ideas. The following is a discussion on their ideas of happiness and wisdom as well as some commentary of how these ideas have been presented in my life. Tzu and Socrates teach us to withhold judgment before we come to conclusions based on appearances. Socrates taught how eloquence...
4 Pages 1763 Words
Ever since Socrates made it his life mission to spread wisdom, much to Athens’ dismay, man has been perplexed with countless philosophical questions. Questions that, by nature, seem to have no distinct nor satisfying answers and as such impart feelings of discomfort and hopelessness to those who take the time to entertain them. One such question is the one that asks, “What is knowledge?”. At first glance, this seemingly innocent question might offer a false sense of confidence in one’s...
3 Pages 1291 Words
In this essay, I aim to explain Socrates’ argument concerning virtue as knowledge while offering a rebuttal and finally taking a stance. Socrates’ argument concerning virtue as wisdom can be reconstructed and understood easier. After reconstruction, it becomes apparent that there may be an error in the argument concerning knowledge. The counterargument would force Socrates to rethink his argument, and he would adjust his argument. Finally, it is clear to see that Socrates’ hypothesis is the correct hypothesis. Socrates hypothesizes...
1 Page 683 Words
Plato’s’ views can be seen firmly throughout his expressive dialogue. Plato encouraged his readers to take into account how often the general public has no appreciation for the value behind philosophy. Through his many teachings of Socrates, the dialogue of Plato represents his perceptive and view of philosophical life as he became disgusted with political life. In his most popular work The Republic, Plato focuses on virtue and the role being philosophy while also analyzing the state’s effort in creating...
2 Pages 963 Words
Introduction to Civil Disobedience: Origins and Key Figures Civil disobedience is having a peaceful protest or not using violence when trying to make a change. The first time this was enforced was by Gandhi. Gandhi led the salt march, a non violent protest to stop British rule. Martin Luther King also brought up the idea of civil disobedience in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. King talks about social injustices while maintaining civil disobedience. He says that for protesting they...
5 Pages 2384 Words
The iconic philosophical works of Zen Master Dogen by Yuho Yokoi and The Apology of Socrates by Plato are known for focusing on how to create and follow the path towards gaining true self-knowledge. Each of these philosophers is widely known for emphasizing the significance of true self-knowledge through similarities like self-realization and how to devote attention to each of the philosophical practices. On the other hand, there are key differences between these two beliefs like, for example, where self-knowledge...
3 Pages 1220 Words
Do you tend to think critically about who you are and what is your purpose? How would your life be if you never questioned anything, never wondered about things or asked “why?” Sometimes we don’t even recognize that each and every day we are living the examined life. This lifestyle enables us to make informed decisions about our lives, which most of us do each and every day. In doing this we are ultimately determining what actions we can take...
2 Pages 1116 Words
Socrates is one of the few individuals whom one could say has shaped the cultural and intellectual development of the world; without him, history would be profoundly different. He is best known for his association with the Socratic method of question and answer, his claim that he was ignorant (or aware of his own absence of knowledge), and his claim that the unexamined life is not worth living for human beings. Socrates tends to bring inner discord, guilt, stress, anxiety,...
1 Page 685 Words
In the Meno and the Phaedo, the character of Socrates argues for the recall possibility of encyclopaedism . In this paper I will first briefly explain what the remembrance theory of encyclopaedism is. Thenwill consider how Socrates argues for the reminiscence theory in the Phaedo. Next, I will consider why Socrates thinks that the recollection theory of eruditeness supports the claim that the somebody of a soul is immortal. I conclude by lifting a remonstration to Socrates' use of the...
3 Pages 1155 Words
The focus of the investigation presented queries; to what extent was Socrates’s death justified due to his involvement in the radical democracy of Ancient Greece? Thus, “Socrates against Athens,” written by Colaiaco and analytically interpreted by Smith and “Socrates,” written and edited by a series of editors and historians are two precise selects, to benefit the value and precision of the investigation. Insight, proof and examination have been professionally delivered with objective reasoning through detailed and differentiating perspectives of the...
3 Pages 1389 Words
Socrates’ Worldview The goal of this paper is to accumulate and examine the views of Socrates according to four of the eight fundamental questions. Excerpts from Defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, and Crito by Plato will be used in this essay. The text from Defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, and Crito will be shortened for in-text citations to eliminate confusion and unnecessary information. All statements and original ideas in this paper have been formulated using these sources. Condition/Problem Most people are further...
5 Pages 2347 Words
In this paper, I will argue that Martin Luther King's claim concerning civil disobedience as expressed in Letter from Birmingham Jail is more persuasive than that of Plato's claim concerning obedience to the law in Crito. Specifically, I will argue that King's claims are more persuasive because they take a more realistic and practical approach compared to Plato's claims, which contain inconsistencies and rely on assumptions that may not always be true. To accomplish this, I will first provide an...
4 Pages 1596 Words
What is Critical Thinking? How important is it in today's higher education system? These are very frequently asked questions. Floods of false and incorrect information are increasing in parallel with the rise of the influence of the internet. This affects the overall quality of students’ work. Many of them tend to study without any primal selection of the information, do not separate main facts from irrelevant information, and lack any internal motivation for thinking. Therefore, the ability to think critically...
1 Page 666 Words
Novelist Rossiter Worthington Raymond once said, “Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.” A horizon, by definition, is no more than the range of one’s knowledge or experience. With this explanation in mind, death is no longer a destination to be feared, but rather an adventure to be explored, full of uncertainties. Long before Raymond ever put pen to paper, philosophical forefather Socrates...
3 Pages 1194 Words
A Discussion Between Socrates and Hume on Personal Identity and Moral Agency On a quiet Sunday afternoon, Socrates and Hume meet at a coffee shop in a small town, well away from the hectic big city. They explore the philosophical topics of personal identity and moral agency and find their philosophies differ greatly. Hume leans back in his chair and considers his guest. “What are your thoughts on the subject of personal identity, Socrates?” Socrates sets down his cup of...
1 Page 603 Words
What is a ‘good life’? The idea of a ‘good life’ varies and is argued as everyone has their own beliefs on what is the best use of their life and how that will contribute to it being a good life. Not only this but different upbringings and religions influence the way we perceive goodness and success in life. Buddhism: What is Buddhism? Buddhists believe that human life consists of suffering and that the practice of meditation, spiritual and physical...
2 Pages 1050 Words
Socrates is a greek philosopher and he once said that 'An unexamined life is not worth living'. It means that we must examine our lives and we must choose a good life for ourselves through self-awareness thus it's worth living. He also said that 'Knowledge is a virtue'. It means that to know something is to do something and knowing what is good is to do what is good. We must be aware to do the right or good thing....
1 Page 506 Words
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