...Socrates and Plato lived at different times but in the same ancient Greece. Their ideas were different though one drew inspiration one another. But both ideas can be close for today’s man. Socrates was born around 469 BC in Athens and died around 399 BC. He was one of the most important Greek philosophers and for sure the ugliest - he had an ugly face. Socrates was born rather in non affluent family. Before he started philosophising he was a soldier in Greek army. Re to his philosophy: he didn’t create his own school (he taught on the streets), as well he didn’t written down any of his work (the main source is Plato who wrote down most of Socrates works). To make matters worse he was condemned to death because of your set of beliefs. Plato...
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...In the book, “The Republic” Plato, one of the most prominent philosophers of ancient Greek history makes his claim about life through various methods. Throughout the book Plato tries to explain the idea of which life is better based on the morals the individual holds. In the book IX of The Republic Plato uses the characters Socrates and Glaucon, to elucidate his point about life. Furthermore throughout the book Plato uses Socrates to create allusions. These allusions would captivate the mind and clarify the point he is trying to get across to the reader. In this passage in book IX I feel Plato is posing a question to the reader. Which is truly worth living? I got this question when Socrates says the “the lives themselves dispute…about which...
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...Estefany Wang Liao PHIL 2010 TR11 33835 Plato, Defense of Socrates The Defense of Socrates, written by Plato in the year of 400a.c, narrates how Socrates defended in a court of charges of different men. He is accused of corrupting the youth mind and not believing in the god of the state, but in other new divinities. His accusers are Meletus, Anytus and Lycon. Throughout this first part, Socrates explains his innocence through various examples given during his apology. During his defense speech, Socrates insists that he clearly speaks the truth. For him, the truth is a virtue of wisdom, and there is no effect without cause. Therefore, according to him, every effect has its own cause. According to Socrates, his bad reputation is due to the wisdom he possesses. Their god assured him that there was a wiser man than he worldwide. That bad name originated because Socrates was put to test people believed wise, without actually being, and letting them know their true image of ignorance. Socrates explained to the judges that he had no knowledge of any kind with respect to cosmological issues. Instead, it was considered wiser than those who boasted of it, because he recognized their ignorance to know the issues, that is, cosmological, which did not confess presumptuous. Socrates denies that he has corrupted the youth. Notes that according Meletus, he corrupts the youth, who then Meletus explain the reason why people enjoy watching Socrates interrogates those who believe without...
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...Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were important philosophers in classical Greece (Matthews, Noble, Platt, 2014). Plato was one of Socrates followers. Plato was recognized for his most famous doctrine known as the Doctrine of Forms, even though there was never a clear explanation for its existence; but his student Aristotle did offer various arguments for it. Plato knew that his doctrine never made sense; however, he created an analogy and called it the Allegory of the Cave which supports what he stood for in regard to common sense as well as embodying his doctrine. Socrates was an intelligent man, who loved philosophy and challenging the people who he lived around. His main goal was to achieve understanding. The citizens were not actually fond of Socrates because he made them feel as if they did not know anything. He was happy to prove others wrong, in which made him...
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...Socrates’ and Love In the Symposium written by Plato we are recounted on the speeches made on the praise of love, by six different men. Beginning with Phaedrus, leading up to Socrates. In Phaedrus speech he sees Love as the oldest of Gods (Plato 10). He indicates how powerful an army would become simply by composing it of lovers. All because one is their absolute greatest, less cowardly in the presence of their lover. Therefore, more willingly to die for each other. Phaedrus is quoted saying, “Love is the most ancient of the gods, the most honored, and the most effective in enabling human beings to quire courage and happiness, both in life and death” (13). He viewed dying for your lover as extremely admirable and brave, and believed even the gods viewed it this way. Phaedrus gives an example of Alcestis, who dies for her husband and then her life is returned by the gods because of her “fine act” (11)....
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...Plato’s Laches describes different ways to approach courage through his characters Laches, Nicias, and Socrates. Plato uses a dialog between characters to define courage in regard to teaching children the art of swards fighting. In dialog Socrates, as the teacher, questions two generals Laches and Nicias in their belief in courage. Both Laches and Nicias have different views on what it means to have courage, however Socrates is able to question both definitions in order for each argument to be better satisfied. The test begins with thoughts from Laches, who describes courage as one’s ability to stand at their post and fight. Laches states, “If a man is willing to remain at his post and to defend himself against the enemy without running away, then you may rest assured that he...
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...century in America. While in some parts of the nation it is legal, many states have banned the use of this penalty on the grounds that they feel it is inhumane and immoral. This is because many feel that rather than serving justice, the death penalty creates injustice by going against virtue, quite literally, by hurting the citizens of a nation. This is even further evident when looking at the works of Greek philosopher, Socrates. In the prominent text “The Republic,” Plato outlines Socrates’ investigation of the true meaning of justice. Due to the revelations...
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...Running Head: THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES 1 The Philosophy of Socrates: A Lover of Wisdom (2052 Words) THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES 2 The lessons of life that are delivered by Socrates act as a basis for Western philosophy. Plato, the writer of The Apology, significantly respects Socrates and his dialogues act as a framework for our understanding in the passages. Our only record of his life comes from his associates, as Socrates never documented his opinions. A clear expression of Socrates’ philosophy is represented in The Apology. The purpose of this paper is to establish a clear demonstration of Socrates’ philosophy using The Apology as reference, and also explain my personal view on philosophy. In the first section of this paper, the famous statement from Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living”, will be connected when explaining three principle components of his philosophy: Irony, Method and Ethos. The second section of this paper will reveal my personal view on philosophy. Rahut’s claim on philosophy being the study of “open questions” will be supported by examples and descriptions. In the case that a question cannot be accurately answered or proven with our existing knowledge, I demonstrate that it should be classified as an ‘open question’. Throughout section 17-18 of The...
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...in Plato’s famous book known as Republic. It is one of the three similes he uses to illustrate his theory of Forms. Plato uses analogy to help describe philosophical difference between physical world and the difference of the world of forms. In short the analogy explains to others about the physical world as nothing but full of illusion. He describes the true reality is to be found in the eternal unchanging world of forms. The analogy begins in the cave. The cave represents the visible world or the world of sense experience, where the shadows seem more real than truth itself. It indirectly represents the human body, which imprisons the soul preventing it from seeking the true knowledge. People are chained up in the cave such a way that all prisoners are facing the wall. They are chained up in a way that they can only look ahead of them at the wall of the cave. The only light in the cave comes from the fire. There is a wall behind the prisoners and fire is located behind the wall. Behind the wall other people are walking up and down carrying statues on their heads. The prisoners observe the shadows that flicker before them. The prisoners believe the shadows are reality as that is all they are able to see. If they hear the people behind the wall they associate the sounds made by individuals with the shadows. They think of the shadows as the true reality. Plato represents our condition as human beings; he describes that our senses chain us and cause us to accept the world around...
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...That one person who means the world to you? Or the majority of the population? This mean that there is no objective basis meaning there is no truth. Relativism originated from the western ethical thinking to the city of ancient Greece. At the time of 18th BCE, being good meant being a hero and doing heroic things and being a strong, courageous person. This idea started to develop and ethical theories of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle started to become accepted as they looked at the ideas of character and virtue. Things began to change in the 16th century BCE and there was no moral certainty. Due to the exploration of different cultures such as other civilisations with different ideas, led states to expand and people to get confused where in society a person’s role was and knowing how to live a lawful life. Protagoras ethics is a good example of this and famously said ‘Man is the measure of all things.’ This was said due the sophists who argued that all morality was relative. The most important thing was just getting on in life; ‘truth’ was a variable concept. Socrates,...
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...concept of the soul is an integral point of concern in the writings of both Plato and Aristotle. Plato views the soul as beyond the body, something that must be released from the grip of mortality. Despite being the student of Plato, Aristotle has his own line of reasoning in regards to the soul, tying the existence of the soul to the existence of life. I will endeavor to show the differences between their thoughts on the soul and its purpose in their philosophical ideology, with the purpose of explaining how Aristotle’s beliefs on the matter of the soul are preferable. One of Plato’s clearest exposition on the soul occurs during the recounting of the death of Socrates, wherein Socrates tells of how “the wise man will want to be ever with him who is better than himself” and further that “the real philosopher has reason to be of good cheer when he is about to die” (Plato). These statements on death will serve as an opening for the rest the Plato’s theories on the soul; the idea that for true knowledge to be grasped, the soul must be freed from the prison of the body. Plato argues that the soul, as an immortal expression of being, is capable of existing beyond the mortal world. He asserts that the body is a detriment to the pursuit of pure knowledge, that it “is a source of endless trouble to us…” (Plato), leading to the idea that purity can only be achieved once the soul is freed. One of the arguments Plato employs as his reasoning for the idea of the Soul being outside of the...
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...Crito and Socrates Joy Woodard PHI103: Informal Logic (GSJ1413B) Instructor: Brian Onishi April 21, 2014 Crito was Socrates’ friend that wanted him to escape out of prison after he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Crito came to visit Socrates in prison and tried to convince him or presented an argument that escaping from prison would be the best thing for him, his friends, and is family. Crito stated that many men would look at him wrong, because he would not pay to get Socrates out of prison. That it would look like Crito valued money more than the friendship that he had with Socrates. Another premise that Crito made was that Socrates would be leaving his children to be orphan, because their father was going to be put to death. Crito showed Socrates support by letting him know that he could to other places and preach his truth because he knew people that would help him out. Crito explained how many people were willing to help financially to help Socrates escape from prison. The premises that Crito used to support his claim of Socrates escaping prison were, he would make his friends look better to the many people on the street, he would be able to care for his children, he would be able to relocate and continue telling his truth, and that he had friends that were willing to help him during this time. Although Socrates may have appreciated the care and concern that Crito demonstrated he did present several counter arguments to Crito’s request. Socrates...
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...A summary of Civilization: Greek Era What really is education? It is not literacy, nor information. Education is a logical attempt towards human learning. There are two types of leaners, passive learners and purposely engaged learners. Purposeful engagement is said to equal successful learning; so instead of spending time getting interested, find what is interesting. Making connections is what creates learning. Everything we learn may not be interesting, but it is important to make connections to something that is. Find meaning in what is taught and interpret the idea, thinking deeply and meaningful about ideas helps discover new learning and interest. Intellect performance shows what we know what we are trying to portray. During the highest peak of the Greek era the society valued body and mind intellect; creating some of the most famous philosophers known to time. Main Ideas and Values of Ancient Greek Civilization Ancient Greek civilization has contributed too many parts of today's society. The teachings and doings of Ancient Greeks have contributed important lessons that many societies still use to base their own laws and ethics on. The Ancient Greeks realized values of loyalty, glory, intelligence and hospitality were important to incorporate into everyday life. Ancient Greek civilization valued dualism, truth and “good society”. Helping your fellow man was an important aspect of ancient Greek society. They offered food, shelter and protection to travelers without...
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...Socrates Search for the Meaning of Piety Despite that there are a significant amount of atheists, religions and cultures throughout the world, piety is still relevant to today’s society. But what does it really mean? Euthyphro is a strong believer that he contains the divine knowledge of what the God’s deliberate to be pious. Euthyphro provided numerous definitions to Socrates throughout the dialogue, none of which seemed to satisfy Socrates. I will analyze the transitions and the circular pattern of conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro, where they are attempting to make a reasonable definition of the term “piety” and try to articulate what it really means. In order to define piety, it is necessary to understand what role the gods played in Athens’ society during Socrates and Euthyphro’s existence. All of society’s wrong doers were seen as insulting the gods. It was considered to be ungodly to do things like hurting your own families or city because these things were considered to be sacred by the gods. This led the wrong doers to be indicted for the sake of the gods. Many of these aspects of piety were unknown to Socrates, which is why he seeks the divine knowledge of Euthyphro. Socrates believes that if he is able to explain to the courts that he has learned the true meaning of piety that his charges may get dismissed. Euthyphro’s first definition of piety that he presented to Socrates referred to Euthyphro prosecuting his father for manslaughter. Euthyphro...
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... to a general contractor ensuring his work was done properly and how it will be fixed if it were not. As an employee, or future employee, one will have to display a certain set of characteristics or values the employer wants. These values can be as small as how reliable someone is, or how one interacts with his coworkers or potential customers. Everything one does in their professional lives affects their success. There is a distinct relationship between professional values, ethics, and career success. These relationships have been studied by notable scholars like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. Hard work is its own reward and will precipitate the things I seek in life. The theme of Plato’s philosophy was moral thinking has to be joined with our feelings and desires. He stated that such training has to begin with our education as children. Socrates differed slightly from the views of Plato. Socrates stressed learning a craft requires care, industriousness, and repetition. He goes on to say that laziness will never put any wisdom into a person’s soul. He states “…those who do not train the soul cannot carry out the functions of the soul. The knowledge in these contexts is craft and skill; acquiring and keeping them are a question of practice and diligence” (“Episteme and Techne,” 2007). Aristotle stated that every ethical virtue lies between the two poles of excess and deficiency. He...
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