Essays on Socrates

Introduction

Each and every education system in the world is designed to suit the explicit desires of the ruling class and regimes. Evidently, there are nations whose major goals that shape their education towards the pious person. This scenario could be the opposite for other nations whose main goal of education is geared to war-like informed individuals and graduates. Other governments concentrate their systems to produce the industrious man who loves quality in all dimensions that is, taste, character and knowledge.

In reality, Socrates identified four regimes that are revolutionary and dependent on each other with time. These are Timocracy, Continue reading...

Socrates sentencing had been delayed for a month presenting to Crito a good opportunity to advise Socrates to escape when the ship, that was at Delos arrived. Crito made several attempts to convince Socrates to escape into exile since it was a common practice in Athens. The Athenians would not mind since they wanted Socrates to leave the city. In this paper, Crito’s arguments made to Socrates are analyzed first, followed by Socrates responses and ultimate decision.
Crito held that he would have lost such a dear friend should Socrates be killed. He proceeded to explain that he Continue reading...

In order to get a clear picture of how Plato would respond to this dilemma, it is important to establish the facts about this case. A woman named Lisa Krawchuk qualified for welfare assistance because of her low income. The welfare authorities required her to report any changes in her income for the period that she received the benefits. She agreed to that condition, reported an increase in her income after her husband got a part-time job and the welfare office reduced her payments accordingly. Lisa failed to report that she was benefiting from a student loan and the Continue reading...

In the case where John and Debra picked up a painting so as to deliver it to a buyer, Socrates and Glaucon would have reacted as follows:
In the mind of Socrates, he would have asked himself the following questions before he made further deliberations on the matter. What was the cause of the accident by John? Was it accidental? What factors preceded the accident? How did John react to the factor that had finally culminated to a breakage and distortion of the painting? Did his accomplice Debra, take reasonable care or reaction by taking the matter at hand Continue reading...

What Is Utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism is the direction in ethics (ethical theory), according to which the moral value of an act is determined behavior or its usefulness. Utilitarianism is a new term introduced in general use; Mill should be considered a chief representative of the direction, denoted by the term Utilitarianism. Mill had predecessors mainly in Russian philosophical literature. If some historians consider it possible to talk about utilitarianism in antiquity, this is explained by mixing two concepts: utilitarianism and eudemonism, i.e., theories built on the concepts of use and enjoyment. The culprit of this confusion is the same Mill, who wished, in Continue reading...

The Meno, one of Plato’s dialogue, is one of the most studied Meno describes the excellence of humans as he answers Socrates with a list of virtues of a man. Socrates is looking an answer of the definition, but Meno is giving examples of virtue. Many Greek philosophers gave theories about the virtues of human beings; what comprises human excellence, in terms of virtues, of people. They believed that these theories were related to the final objective of human beings on this earth, as well as their intention and what incorporates the great life that everybody wants to Continue reading...

In Socrates' recounting of her speech, Diotima gives an account of what she considers being the best form of love. (Nye 137). The question “what is love?”, has troubled individuals often, but Plato, in the symposium, offers a solid understanding through Socrates, the philosopher. In identifying the means of pursuing love, Diotima defines Love as a craving for happiness. According to the Greeks, Happiness was regarded as an end of its own, with much of the Greek ethics centered on it. One may criticize the scope of the word “Love” as inflated in order to embrace all forms of Continue reading...

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF PLATO’S ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is drawn from his tremendous works on the Republic. It is literally a conversation that takes place between Socrates and Gaucon. The conversation is categorized into three parts. The first section is the scene within the cave. According to Kernan, the second part of the discourse deliberates on the three stages of liberation and the third creates a picture of the prisoner returning to the same cave.
The scene in the cave is one of gloom and darkness, with prisoner chained and unable to move around, even their heads could only face one Continue reading...

In his relationship with Socrates, has Alcibiades been made into a true lover; that is, is Alcibiades now a philosopher. To answer this, love must be defined philosophically or otherwise.
Socrates, in his speech, says that love is a feeling for some object. Love is a desire for an object. Eros is the Greek god of love. The Roman god of love is called Cupid. In his speech, Cupid says that love is a feeling for beautiful things. Socrates philosophically says ‘love’ is not good or beautiful’. He goes on and says that if it were the contrary, then Continue reading...

Introduction

The Socratic argument for reincarnation arises out of a discussion amongst Socrates with Pythagorean philosophers who had gone to visit him while in incarceration. The discussion arose as Socrates faced death through execution. He reasoned that philosophers ought to look forward to death rather than fear it. The ultimate act of death meant that the philosopher would finally rid his soul of the body, which is a major distraction in the soul’s quest for pure knowledge unaltered by the deception of our senses. Since our senses are imperfect and deceive us, Socrates advances the argument that the best Continue reading...

Socrates and Descartes are some of the greatest Greek philosophers of their time as they greatly impacted western and modern day thoughts or philosophy. They are known as fathers of philosophy as a result of their philosophical inquiry which forms the basis of modern day thoughts. Socrates was an inscrutable individual and one of the philosophers who demonstrated enigma during his lifetime. He changed the manner in which philosophy is conceived, although he did not write anything. The Socratic teaching method or elenctic is one such thought that survived throughout several years. Descartes, on the other hand, started his Continue reading...

Locate one instance where Socrates used untruth and justified it as truth

The Apology
The apology is an account of the Socratic speech made during his trial in Athens in 339 B.C. In this trial, Socrates was charged with failing to recognize the gods that were recognized by the state, corrupting the Athenian youths, and invention of new deities. Nevertheless, these charges against Socrates were untrue. The term apology in this case refers to defense as opposed to the usual apology used in modern English. Socrates was defending himself in his speech. He recognized his ignorance in most of the worldly affairs, and makes a conclusion that he must be the Continue reading...

Gorgias: Socrates, let me ask you, are you aware of darkness?

Socrates: Yes, indeed. I am.

Gorgias: You should be. Let me pose another question to you

Socrates: Go ahead, pray do.
Gor: Is darkness the equivalence of nothingness?
Soc: Not at all. Darkness is something intangible but it has existence. Darkness has its own value without which there would be no light.
Gor: I beg to differ. Darkness is the absence of light, making it the lack of value. This is what I would call nothingness.

Soc: That is where I would suppose you go wrong in your assumptions.

Gor: I make no assumptions but only truths.
Soc: Darkness is not the absence of light. I would use the same argument for light and say that it is the absence of darkness.

Gor: How so?

Soc: Continue reading...

Plato devotes an entire text to analyze love through Socrates speech. Plato was Socrates student. He was initially a political student before turning philosophical after his master and teacher was tried and sentenced to death after being accused of corrupting the minds of young Athenians. Plato believed that the true aspects of love could lead to proper governance and that the people would live with honor and pursues excellence rather than wealth. Since love revolves all aspects of life including governance, and life being a philosophy in its own sense, it is only wise that he treats love as Continue reading...

Philosophy

Plato's greatest and most enduring work remains ‘The Republic.’ Plato called this work as paideia; where the physical, spiritual and mental development of an individual was of utmost importance in constructive, societal development. Plato was a man filled with faith in human nature. Plato’s philosophy of human nature doing evil was that a person only does evil in ignorance, for he believed everyone, just as himself wanted only what was good. The source of someone doing evil is brought about by unlimited desire. In Book 3, part 405a to 406e, Socrates yearns for an honest and disciplined society, Continue reading...

Introduction

In ancient times, intellectuals and philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, Euthyphro and Aristotle among many others engaged in intense Philosophical debates about morality, science, sociology among many other issues. The debate between Euthyphro and Socrates on piety or holiness stands out as a classic philosophical argument. While Euthyphro offers different definitions on what he thought piety and impiety were, Socrates refutes them on his own grounds because he wanted to learn how to defend himself and justify acts of impiety filed against him by Meletus (Navia, 2007).
The Concept of piety or holiness takes a prominent position in the Continue reading...

Individual Morality in Plato’s Republic

While Plato’s Republic is a text often studied for its ideas of justice and society, Plato also offers in The Republic a framework for individual morality. Though Plato’s work begins as an argument between Socrates and Polemarchus discuss individual morality as representation of their beliefs of a well-ordered state, their discussion can be taken and applied to a individual system of morality that still applies as a viable framework for morality today.
Plato insisted upon order in all things. In order to have a well ordered state, one needed to have well ordered citizens within the state. Continue reading...

It’s just to break unjust laws

Introduction
Martin Luther King.Jr was imprisoned as a participant in non-violent demonstrations against segregation. In this letter, he called on all Americans peacefully oppose laws that were morally wrong. However, he urged them to be peaceful. According to Luther, there are just and unjust laws. A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law, or the law of God. On the other hand, an unjust law is a law that is out of harmony with the moral law; it is a human law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law. It is a Continue reading...

Summary on Euthyphro's Dialogue

Socrates goes to the court to seek advice from Euthyphro on an indictment by a young man by the name Meletus, who claims that he knows by whom and how the young are corrupted. So by that he refers to Socrates as the one corrupting the young by fabricating the gods of which Socrates knows nothing about because according to him, what he taught was the mere truth which he says the Athenians dislike because he is trying to win people in his own way of thinking.
It is at this point that Ethyphro tells Socrates about the dilemma Continue reading...

Socrates is well known as a classical Greek philosopher. He is credited as one of the unique founders of the Western philosophy. He is remembered as an enigmatic figure, known chiefly by the accounts of all classical writers. This is well manifested through the writings of his two students, Xenophon and Plato, together with the plays associated with his contemporary Aristophanes. On the other hand, the Socratic problem is the impossible or difficult nature of establishing what information from an antiquity clearly reflects the attributes and views of historical Socrates. Socrates, a main character in the dialogues of Plato, Continue reading...

Argumentative essay

If in the "Apology," Socrates appeared before the court with a deep sense of his own dignity, and even more arrogant, Plato’s "Crito" drew us Socrates who fully reconciled with domestic laws and seeks at all costs to obey them, even if they are used incorrectly.
The old friend and student of Socrates, Crito, sneaked into prison to Socrates, long waited for his awakening not to disturb his rest. He reported the sad news about the expected arrival of the ship from Delos, after which the death penalty of Socrates should follow. Socrates smiled when he heard this Continue reading...

It was personal resentment towards Socrates that brought him apologizing to the Athenian judicial system, than anything else. Socrates was charged for being a sophist for his way to present the weaker arguments as the strongest, and physicalist because he investigated things that lie in the skies and beneath the earth. However, Socrates responds with masterly eloquence. He says that that the most dangerous Athenian citizens are those who manipulate young minds and fill them with falsehoods about “one Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath, and made the worse Continue reading...

3 Short Essays

The conversation between Crito and Socrates took place inside the prison wherein Socrates was waiting for his execution. His loyal friend Crito arrived earlier before the break of dawn to tell Socrates to save his life by escaping from prison. By escaping, Crito will keep him as his true friend and will not be accused by people that he did not do what was needed to save a friend’s life. However, Socrates does not care about the majority’s opinion. What he was concerned about is his friends’ would be in trouble from the authorities Continue reading...

The fabric of any prosperous political community in the world is bestrewn by threads of peace and social order. The desire for social order and peace catapulted human beings to surrender to some of their unalienable rights, bestowed upon by nature, in exchange for security from the government. John Locke asserts that life in the state of nature was short, nasty and brutish.The war of every man against every man acted as a catalyst for man to leave the state of nature and become party to a society governed by the rule of law.
Although the rule of law Continue reading...

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Introduction
Cephalous defines justice in a basic way “giving what is ought”. Socrates ends the dialogue between Polemarchus, Cephalous and Thrasymachus and Socrates by pointing out the purpose justice plays. According to Socrates, granting justice is creates happiness (Jowett, 1999). Justice is a complex word, why would someone demand justice? In this paper I am going to explore what contribute to happiness and good life and contrast Socrates perception of success and happiness with the modern day realities.

The changing perception of success

Despite the change of times and possibly the thinking of people, the view of life by early time philosophers still reflect Continue reading...

Philosophy Journal

“Burnt Norton” by T.S. Eliot
This poem is told through a narrator speaking directly to an audience. He warns of living in the present and not to suffer the past or worry about the future, “If all time is eternally” present. To worry about what one has already done in the past, “Down the passage which we did not takeTowards the door we never opened will not help to live well in the present.” (Eliot) To spend one’s time think and planning for the future is also a waste, “Here is a place of disaffection Time before and Continue reading...

In this paper, I will discuss the present-at-hand and the ready-at-hand in Heidegger’s philosophy. Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is a German philosopher who is often thought of in terms of the Existentialist movement in Continental philosophical tradition, but who did not prefer to be classified as an existentialist (McBride 131). Heidegger concerns himself with the deep metaphysical question of being in his book Being and Time — a job he never completed in his lifetime (Blattner 9). Heidegger has an ambitious project in his book — that is fundamentally to investigate being, a project he feels has been forgotten by philosophers ( Continue reading...

There are but few philosophers in the history of modern thought that is as important and as far-reaching as Plato. His Republic is justly regarded as the most comprehensive masterwork of his middle years, discussing some of the most basic questions of contemporary Western philosophy. Interestingly, it has set the agenda for many questions in ethical thought, from political philosophy, art, education, metaphysics, and other arenas for philosophical and ethical inquiry. While much of the work appears to be an argument for a perfectly just community, it may also be observed as the greatest argument ever presented against political Continue reading...

Introduction

Part One: Essays- each essay should be approximately 350 words.1. John Armstrong outlines seven therapeutic functions to art. Identify THREE of these and explain in your own words what they mean. Then, identify at least ONE of the readings from this semester that you think fits with that particular function.
According to John Armstrong, art is a therapeutic instrument, and its prime value can be seen in how well it can exhort and guide us toward better versions of ourselves, so as to live life with greater purpose. The art can improve our lives and here is how:
- Continue reading...

The theory of recollection is illustrated by Plato in a dialogue format between Socrates and an inquisitive student / slave Meno. The key idea highlighted in the Socrates' dialogue was knowledge is innate and is reminded to the soul through search or arduous inquiry. According to Socrates, all knowledge is known from previous experience, and we already know everything. He argued that from birth all knowledge is present with the soul; the person recalls or identifies the facts from memory when the person is exposed to the phenomenon. The view point of recognizing the knowledge is considered as the Continue reading...

Plato's Influence on Medieval Thought

Plato's Influence on Medieval Thought

Introduction

Plato was born in 428/427 BCE in Athens, Greece. He was a Greek philosopher and Socrates’ student. Plato founded the Academy and best known for his efforts in philosophical works depicting unparalleled influence. Building on various demonstrations by individuals like Socrates that those considered as experts in every ethical matter did not have proper understanding necessary for a prompt human life, Plato came up an idea that the mistake were caused by their lack of proper engagement with a class of identities that he referred to as forms. Key examples of these forms include Continue reading...

According to Socrates, morality refers to the creation of as well as adherence to the rules which govern the way a human behaves. This behavior is based on the concept of the idea of right from wrong. Therefore, with morality, one will be able to address the human capability to recognize and choose right from wrong. Socrates, therefore, believed that there is no individual who willingly chooses to engage in wrongful deeds. He further claims that no person seeks to cause harm upon himself or herself. In his view, all the wrongs one engage in results from ignorance. This Continue reading...

There are but few philosophers in the history of modern thought that is as important and as far-reaching as Plato. His Republic is justly regarded as the most comprehensive masterwork of his middle years, discussing some of the most basic questions of contemporary Western philosophy. Interestingly, it has set the agenda for many questions in ethical thought, from political philosophy, art, education, metaphysics, and other arenas for philosophical and ethical inquiry. While much of the work appears to be an argument for a perfectly just community, it may also be observed as the greatest argument ever presented against political Continue reading...

For many years Socrates was an adorable teacher and a well-known philosopher in Athens. However, one of his speeches had an unexpected result on his career and life. At the age of nearly seventy years Socrates was sent to the prison by a court jury of 501 Athens’ citizens. He was accused in atheism, which was mentioned in one of his speeches. At that time the punishment for such a crime was an execution to death. So, Socrates was sent to the jail to wait for his death.
While the philosopher was in the prison at the small Aegean Continue reading...

The Socratic Method is also known as the elenchic method or elenchus. It involves the use of questions in the process of discussion. The Socratic Method allows a person to obtain an opinion through posing a quasi-rhetorical question. Such a question triggers the next person to think. It provides him or her with the direction in which he or she should think. This only makes it easier for that person to provide answers. The main agenda is to guide the thinking process of a person. In this method, the inquirer dismisses every hypothesis that contradicts itself. Such continued elimination Continue reading...

Analysis of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” using “Apology” and “Crito”

The works of Martin Luther King and Socrates show the ideologies of both men in their defense against persecutions made by their governments. In a bid to defend their actions, both authors present their arguments with respect to their particular surroundings. Consequently, as each seeks a form of liberty, there are some likeness, and in some instances disparities, between records of their arguments. In fact, at one point, King likens his condition and arguments to those made by the Greek philosopher. According to King, Socrates urges the Greek society to rise from a “the bondage of myths and half-truths” ( Continue reading...

1 . Socrates suddenly awakes and finds himself in medieval France. At a bookstore he buys a copy of Montaigne and reads “Of Cannibals” and “Of Coaches.” Would he agree with Montaigne’s ideas? If so, with what would he agree? With what would he disagree? In writing your answer, be sure to describe Socrates’ (or Greek) philosophy and what was different in Montaigne’s time.
Despite the disparity between the early modern Europe and the ancient Athens, it is possible to find some affinities underlying the ideas of Socrates and Montaigne. However, if Socrates suddenly awoke and found himself Continue reading...

Question 1

Hebert Marcuse suggests that historically, philosophy has assumed the role of safeguarding the interests of freedom and reason in a world that is relatively unfree and also unreasonable. Socrates can be considered as a guardian to the interest of reason and freedom. He introduced the world to the art of critical reasoning. In many circles, he is often hailed as the father of reason and logic. In an unreasonable world where man is simply concerned with victory over his fellow man when it comes to arguments, Socrates introduced the concept of critical and careful reasoning so as to acquire Continue reading...

Introduction

Philosophy is an important discipline which reflects people’s beliefs about what is true or real in accordance to individual values. Philosophy allows people to think rationally and hence determine the right course of action. The Early Greek philosophers were mainly concerned with justifying and answered questions on where everything originated (Rudebusch 2009 p 139). Educators surely need to have a standing point that enables students to understand why they think and act the way they do. Socrates and sophistry are both philosophies that can enable people to understand the logic and fallacies behind different critical facts. The two Continue reading...

The aim of this essay is to present you with the answers to specific questions. The specific questions derive from the reading of four (4) specific dialogues of Plato that are included in the first volume of his dialogues. The essay is structured in such a way that each answer to each one of the questions covers the main thematic core of each question. The four (4) dialogues used as the starting point of the following questions are Ion, Menon, Apology and Crito.
- In Ion, Ion claims that his skill at reciting and explaining Homer’s Iliad and Continue reading...