Socrates

Socrates refers to himself as a midwife because he sees his role as helping others to "give birth" to their own knowledge and understanding by asking them probing questions and guiding them towards the truth that lies within them. Just like a midwife assists in bringing new life into the world, Socrates assists in bringing forth new ideas and insights in his dialogues.

The wisdom of individuals does not necessarily translate into the wisdom of the group composed of those individuals. That is because groups are still prone to acting on the basis of what we might describe as the lowest common denominator; what they have in common may not be wisdom.

The people hated Socrates because the core basis of his philosophy was "wisest is he who knows he does not know." Socrates literally traveled around and told people that they were ignorant and didn't properly understand what they thought they understood, and he called all beliefs into question. Socrates thought true wisdom stemmed from self knowledge, and the realization that we can't know everything.

For obvious reasons, the public only saw Socrates as, to be blunt, an a** because it seemed like all he did was tear down other people's beliefs.

Hope that helped!! I think Socrates is awesome :)

The statue of Socrates was made by the ancient Greek sculptor Lysippus. This particular sculpture is not preserved today, but there have been various representations of Socrates in art over the centuries.

No, Socrates is not considered the father of tragedy. Tragedy in ancient Greece developed separately from Socrates' philosophical contributions. The origins of Greek tragedy are attributed to playwrights like Thespis and Aeschylus.

My impression of Socrates from the Apology is that he was principled, courageous, and intellectually sharp. While he may have been viewed as eccentric by some due to his unconventional beliefs and approach to philosophy, I find him inspiring for his unwavering commitment to seeking truth and moral integrity, even in the face of death.

Socrates was a philosopher who challenged traditional beliefs and emphasized critical thinking. Plato was his student who further developed philosophical ideas and founded the Academy, an influential school of thought. Aristotle, a student of Plato, made significant contributions to a wide range of subjects including logic, biology, and ethics, shaping the foundations of Western philosophy. Collectively, their ideas and teachings helped advance knowledge and intellectual growth during the Golden Age of ancient Greece.

Socrates' last words before he died were reported to be: "Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius. Do pay it. Don't forget." This was a reference to making a sacrifice to the god of healing, Asclepius, as a sign of gratitude for a peaceful death.

Socrates does not talk about the alternative sentence "I am merely another reptile".

The dialogue where Socrates famously discussed his decision to drink the poison hemlock is in "Phaedo" by Plato. The dialogue takes place on the day of Socrates' execution and explores his thoughts on the immortality of the soul and the meaning of life.

A question and answer style of teaching is called the Socratic method. It involves the teacher asking open-ended questions to stimulate critical thinking and encourage students to explore ideas on their own.

Crito argues from a perspective of practicality and self-interest, advocating for Socrates to escape prison to avoid an unjust death. Socrates, on the other hand, focuses on principles of justice and upholding the laws of the city, even if they lead to his own death. Socrates prioritizes his commitment to truth and virtue over personal safety, while Crito emphasizes the importance of avoiding harm and seeking self-preservation.

I would name him 'father of philosophy' .. He did once refer to himself as a gadfly according to Plato.

Socrates was known for his wisdom, humility, and dedication to seeking truth through questioning and dialogue. He was also known for his courage in challenging widely held beliefs and his commitment to ethical living.

Plato valued critical questioning and encouraged his students to challenge beliefs and assumptions. However, he did not question everything without discernment, as he affirmed certain fundamental truths in his philosophical works.

Yes, Socrates is against relativism. He believed in objective truth and that knowledge and virtue are universal concepts that exist independently of individual perspectives or beliefs. Socrates argued that objective standards should be applied to ethics and morality, rather than subjective opinions.

Socrates, as depicted in Plato's dialogues, was known for his method of questioning individuals to prompt them to examine their own beliefs. While Plato himself also emphasized critical thinking and self-examination in his philosophical works, it was Socrates who is credited with the Socratic method of inquiry that aimed to challenge assumptions and encourage deeper reflections on one's beliefs.

Crito is surprised that Socrates is not willing to escape from prison and flee Athens, despite having the means to do so. He expected Socrates to value his life and be motivated to avoid his impending execution.

Socrates did not directly claim that people know right from wrong but choose to do evil. Instead, he focused on the idea that people do wrong because of ignorance and lack of understanding about what is truly good. Socrates believed that once people gain knowledge and wisdom, they would naturally pursue what is right.

Yes, Plato wrote the Socratic dialogues after the death of Socrates. Plato was a student of Socrates and used him as a central character in many of his dialogues. The dialogues are considered one of the primary sources of information about Socrates.

The Athenians voted to convict Socrates because they viewed his teachings as corrupting the youth and undermining the city's religious beliefs. Additionally, Socrates' outspoken criticism of the Athenian government and his perceived association with other subversive figures contributed to his guilty verdict.

Socrates married Xanthippe around 431 BC. They had three sons together.

Socrates was poisoned for his anti-democratic views of society. On a day in 399 BC the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of "corrupting the youth." The jurors later found him guilty by a vote of 280 vs 220. They also voted that his penalty should be death, by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. In the end, he was killed for his beliefs, while his peers wept along side him as they watched him die.

The primary purpose of the Socratic method is to stimulate critical thinking and encourage individuals to question their beliefs and assumptions. By engaging in thoughtful dialogue and asking probing questions, participants can arrive at deeper insights and develop a clearer understanding of complex issues.

Plato considered Socrates as his mentor and teacher. He greatly admired Socrates' wisdom, character, and philosophical thought, which inspired him to continue exploring philosophy and developing his own theories. Plato documented Socrates' teachings and dialogues in his writings, showcasing the profound impact Socrates had on his intellectual development.