...chapter, Plato talked about the dialogues between Socrates and Criton, Socrates’ best friend in his whole life. In this time, Socrates had already been put into prison by the unfair adjudgement in the court and he was waiting for the death penalty. When a Greek ship from Delos came back, he needed to get the death penalty. Before this time, Criton had visited Socrates for a few times, and tried to persuade him escape from this prison, but it was not worked. In the beginning of this dialogue, Socrates asked Criton, “Why have you come at this time of day”? He was sleeping and even forgot the time. Criton wanted to convince him leave the prison, and he had already found someone to help Socrates if he could escape. It must be the last time to get out from this prison, because the ship would come soon. However, Socrates refused his suggestion depending on his own opinion about moral and law. Then they began to debate by several aspects. Criton thought that he should leave the prison because he was guiltless. And he used a few ways to persuade him, just like, he let Socrates think of his sons and said “It is your power to bring them up and educate them, and now you will go off and leave them, and so far as you are concerned, they must take their life as they find it”. And they would be in orphan, if you leave them. He appealed by emotion to persuade him not giving up his life. On the other hand, Criton illustrated their friendship. If Socrates didn’t leave the prison, others who didn’t...
Words: 771 - Pages: 4
...The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living “The unexamined life is not worth living,” is a familiar saying that Socrates said at his trial for heresy, that is, encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs and think of themselves instead and this led to his death sentence. Socrates could have avoided death by choosing life in prison or exile but he refused claiming that, these alternatives will prevent him from examining the world around him and see how to make the world a better place. He argued that with the absence of his examined life will, there was no value of living. Therefore, Socrates claimed that for a human being to live a worthy life, everyone should question, examine and re-examine the values of their lives daily (Kamtekar, 154). This paper explores the meaning and the significance of the Socrates claim that “the unexamined life is not worth living” focusing on the Apology and Euthyphro. The words, ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’ by Socrates comes from Plato’s Apology when Socrates is sentenced to death after being accused of corrupting the youth and impiety (Ahbel-Rappe & Rachana, 229). Patterson posits that apology is one historical account of Socrates’ defense during his trial (Patterson, 16), and these words appear at the end of the Apology when Socrates is going through possible punishments for charges against him. Socrates utters these words when the jury has already found him guilty and has to decide on what kind of punishment to impose...
Words: 1222 - Pages: 5
...particular circumstances. Ethics may be divided into three major areas of study: * Meta-ethics, about the theoretical meaning and reference of moral propositions and how their truth values (if any) may be determined * Normative ethics, about the practical means of determining a moral course of action * Applied ethics draws upon ethical theory in order to ask what a person is obligated to do in some very specific situation, or within some particular domain of action (such as business) Related fields are moral psychology, descriptive ethics, and value theory. Ethics seeks to resolve questions dealing with human morality—concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime. II. PHILOSOPHIES A. SOCRATES Socratic method Perhaps his most important contribution to Western thought is his dialectic method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method or method of "elenchus", which he largely applied to the examination of key moral concepts such as the Good and Justice. It was first described by Plato in the...
Words: 4459 - Pages: 18
...great Greek philosophers, Socrates is one of the finest. He was also a logician who had a major effect on ancient philosophy. His Socratic Method would come to influence Western thought and be the basis for its systems of logic and philosophy. Since Socrates wrote down nothing himself, most of the information we have today comes from the philosophers Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes. And because of this, no one can be certain about any that happened in his life. Even though their writings may not be completely accurate, they display a good image of Socrates’ philosophy, personality, and life. However, there are questions about whether Socrates really existed or was only a creation or Plato, which allowed him to describe the flaws in ancient philosophy. Socrates was born to Sophroniscus and Phaenarete in the city of Athens during the year 469 or 470 B.C. He received the basic education of a Greek because he was not born into a noble family. He learned the art of craft and is said to work as a mason for several years before he became a committed and devoted philosopher. There is controversy between whether Socrates received pay for teaching which is displayed by Plato, in the fact that Socrates was poor. It is also stated that Xanthippe, Socrates’ wife, complained about his inability to support his family form Xenophon’s writing and described her as undesirable. Socrates and had three son who names are Lamphoeles, Sophroniscus, and Menexenus. Socrates had little to do with the...
Words: 314 - Pages: 2
...chapter, Plato talked about the dialogues between Socrates and Criton, Socrates’ best friend in his whole life. In this time, Socrates had already been put into prison by the unfair adjudgement in the court and he was waiting for the death penalty. When a Greek ship from Delos came back, he needed to get the death penalty. Before this time, Criton had visited Socrates for a few times, and tried to persuade him escape from this prison, but it was not worked. In the beginning of this dialogue, Socrates asked Criton, “Why have you come at this time of day”? He was sleeping and even forgot the time. Criton wanted to convince him leave the prison, and he had already found someone to help Socrates if he could escape. It must be the last time to get out from this prison, because the ship would come soon. However, Socrates refused his suggestion depending on his own opinion about moral and law. Then they began to debate by several aspects. Criton thought that he should leave the prison because he was guiltless. And he used a few ways to persuade him, just like, he let Socrates think of his sons and said “It is your power to bring them up and educate them, and now you will go off and leave them, and so far as you are concerned, they must take their life as they find it”. And they would be in orphan, if you leave them. He appealed by emotion to persuade him not giving up his life. On the other hand, Criton illustrated their friendship. If Socrates didn’t leave the prison, others who didn’t...
Words: 359 - Pages: 2
...Socrates was born circa 470 BC, in Athens, Greece. Socrates believed that philosophy should be awarded practical results for the greater comfort of society. He tried to create a reasonable system based on human reason rather than a religious stand point. He pointed out that human choice was motivated by the will for happiness. Ultimate wisdom comes from knowing oneself said by Socrates. The more a person knows, the greater his or her ability to ask questions and make choices that will make them feel confident in themself. Socrates believed that a direct democracy was the right way to go because he wanted everyone to get involved in the government. Instead of having, many people controlling the city-state. Quotes from Socrates were very meaningful...
Words: 313 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 456 - Pages: 2
...In 399 BC, a philosopher, named Socrates, is put to trial for multiple reasons. He was accused of corrupting the youth and impiety. They wanted the death penalty, but the importance of this trial were the arguments made by Socrates. One of the arguments made in The Apology that will be focused on is the corruption argument. Socrates made many arguments such as the horse trainer argument, the God argument, and also the death argument, but the argument that was most interesting was the corruption argument. The corruption argument, made by Socrates, is what set the tone and what allowed the rest of his arguments to have a place in his defense. In The Apology, by Plato, he talked about the defense that Socrates had in his trial against the...
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...of the speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates' speech, however, is by no means an "apology" in our modern understanding of the word. The name of the dialogue derives from the Greek "apologia," which translates as a defense, or a speech made in defense. Thus, in The Apology, Socrates attempts to defend himself and his conduct--certainly not to apologize for it. For the most part, Socrates speaks in a very plain, conversational manner. He explains that he has no experience with the law courts and that he will instead speak in the manner to which he is accustomed: with honesty and directness. He explains that his behavior stems from a prophecy by the oracle at Delphi which claimed that he was the wisest of all men. Recognizing his ignorance in most worldly affairs, Socrates concluded that he must be wiser than other men only in that he knows that he knows nothing. In order to spread this peculiar wisdom, Socrates explains that he considered it his duty to question supposed "wise" men and to expose their false wisdom as ignorance. These activities earned him much admiration amongst the youth of Athens, but much hatred and anger from the people he embarrassed. He cites their contempt as the reason for his being put on trial. Socrates then proceeds to interrogate Meletus, the man primarily responsible for bringing Socrates before the jury...
Words: 940 - Pages: 4
...Socratic Method: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates (469—399bc) Plato (427—347bc) Each of the main Platonic dialogues emphasizes one philosophical theme—for example, the nature of truth, beauty, justice, virtue, courage, piety, or friendship. The typical Platonic dialogue of the early period can be divided into three segments: In the first segment, Socrates meets a young man who claims to know something about one of the aforementioned “big” topics. Socrates flatters the young man and compliments himself on his luck at having found someone who actually knows something that he, Socrates, has been seeking for fifty years. Socrates begs the young man to impart his wisdom to him. When the young man does so, Socrates acts deeply impressed. The young man’s head begins to swell. The second segment of the dialogue begins when Socrates seems to notice some apparently minor problem with the formulation of the youth’s argument. The young man thinks that a simple cosmetic job can cover the blemish, but Socrates’ objection becomes the small thread that, when pulled, unravels the garment. The young man finds himself tangled up in contradictions and paradoxes. The third segment of the dialogue begins when both Socrates and his partner have admitted ignorance. The young man doesn’t know what “X” is (virtue, beauty, truth, etc.), and Socrates does not know either. At this point, Socrates will say to his dispairing companion something like this: “Look...
Words: 564 - Pages: 3
...Socrates was put on trial for two things. One he was corrupting the mind of the youth and two he was impious. Socrates had many interesting arguments against these claims. Socrates got Meletus to say that everyone improves the youth, all the citizens of Athens. Socrates disproves this claim by saying that, it takes a particular person to improve something else. Socrates uses and example with horses, saying that horse trainers are very specialized people and have a positive influence on horse, where any other average person would have a negative influence. So Socrates concludes that, he is not that 1 person who is corrupting the minds of the youth compared to the hundreds of citizens of Athens, but it is the citizens who are not improving their...
Words: 406 - Pages: 2
...SOCRATES’ PHILOSOPHY AND THE SOCIAL ISSUE OF PROSTITUTION “It is not living that matters, but living rightly” -Socrates To live is a big adventure but living rightly is the biggest adventure. It’s not just important to live life, anyone can go on living, but it is on how you live life. In today’s terms, I would say it would be to live life to the fullest and be a good citizen, for some, this may to follow doings as their religion says, for others, it may just to participate in one’s community, for me, it is to live life a happy and prosperous life without much wrong-doing and to follow a life believing in God. Prostitution is one of the rampant social issues here in the Philippines. It is not just an issue of the society, but it is also an issue of morality. Having sexual intercourse to anyone to make a living is definitely evil. Prostitution is spreading uncontrollably and it really sounds deplorably bad. In this complex world, we are living in a never ending competition in order to survive, but doing such act of prostitution does not justify the idea of the survival of the fittest. We have to consider the morality of our actions because even if the consideration or the money you get of doing such prostitution is for the sake of the needs of your family, it will not apparently justify your means. Yes, you do live and survive, but the question is, did you live rightly? No of course, wrong way of life cannot be lived rightly. We can live happily and at the same time survive...
Words: 517 - Pages: 3
...Cultural Diplomacy through Music ‘‘Who writes the Nation’s songs shapes the Nation’s souls,’’ said Abraham Lincoln. This quote is relevant to today’s crisis: the influence of music on our youth. Music has been known to influence those who listen since the end of the Industrial Revolution, when people had more leisure time and the demand for entertainment and amusement began to increase. This is significant because media has a powerful influence on society and affects how we dress, act, and think. In The Republic by Plato, Socrates argues against Thrasymachus’ idea that "Obedience to the interest of the stronger" will lead to a successful tyranny. Socrates believes that "justice is the excellence of the soul,” and that benevolence is the key to a successful state. Yet humans embody not only Apollo, the god of the sun, of dreams, and of reason but also, Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy and intoxication, both sons of Zeus. In Plutarch’s Moralia, it is suggested that the state allows society to live for their pleasure so that the state gains the power to control them. We are fighting a constant battle between the rational principle of the soul and the irrational or appetite. The state is determined to keep feeding the Dionysus in each of us in order to continue to control us. The music industry is a tool that is used to influence the youth to indulge in their desires through songs about violence, sex, misogyny and drug use. In the Socratic dialogue in The Republic, Adeimantus, son of...
Words: 1784 - Pages: 8
...Whether it was what Socrates meant when explaining his defense, or what the Athenian court members had based their moral and ethical views from. More importantly, Socrates was a philosopher, and he strived to find answers, even when they were not easy to discover. This led me to Socrates’ idea, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates was a strong advocate of this statement and supported it in front of the Oracle of Delphi and in the Athenian court. I was very interested with Socrates statement, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” When I first discovered this statement the first thought that popped in my head was how serious Socrates was. There was...
Words: 934 - Pages: 4
...ASSIGNMENT Greek philosophy Q) Critically assess the charges against and the defence given by Socrates in the apology? The apology- a compilation of Socrates dialogue- is a rare collection of works done by Plato which we must treasure. This work gives us a distinct clear picture of what must have happened in Athens in the 5th century. Each deep mystifying dialogue, if interpreted properly, unveils realities leaving us either enlightened or puzzled. Apprehending, such an abstruse matter, is indeed a tough task. So there may be a possibility of us misinterpreting him. First we feel that Socrates has misinterpreted the message of 'Oracle'. He has only partially comprehended oracle's message . In reference to the passage given : (the apology pg 22) "....he asked the oracle to tell him whether there was anyone wiser than I was, and the Pythian prophetess answered that there was no man wiser." (Pg30-) Socrates says, "......God orders me to fulfil the philosopher's mission of searching into myself and other men....., (pg 34)".....And this is a duty which God has imposed upon me as i am assured by oracles, visions and in every sort of way .....one." Criticism: 1) May be what oracle wanted to say was that there was no man wiser than Socrates, the Oracle could have meant that everyone had the same level of wisdom as that of Socrates. Hence, when Socrates went about in finding out whether what Oracle said was really true, he was only bent upon seeing whether...
Words: 1210 - Pages: 5
