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Socrates
Socrates was a Greek, enigmatic philosopher who was famous for his contribution in ethics. He was Plato and Xenophon’s mentor and was acknowledged as one of the founders of Western philosophy.
1,381 Questions
Why did Socrates criticize Athenian democracy and politicians?
Firstly he was an oligarch and disapproved of the excesses of the democracy and the orators who persistently led it astray.
Secondly he was trying to bring up a new generation in which some people, at least, could think for themselves.
His criticism was not open - his technique was, in encouraging his followers to think, to lead them into coming to answers which inevitably at odds with the old way of thought and its self-rightness.
Too little is known about Socrates to be certain of his beliefs, but a contemporary claimed that Socrates believed in a "divine insanity" as a gift from the gods - which gave us poetry, mysticism, love and philosophy. If this truly was his belief then he would be considered a polytheist.
How old was Socrates when he was tried for corrupting the youth?
Socrates died in 399 BC. He was convicted and sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. It is widely believed that he was born in 469BC which would make him 70 at the time of his death.
Who preserved the ideas of Socrates in his writing?
The ideas of Socrates were primarily preserved by his student, Plato, who wrote dialogues featuring Socrates as the main character. Plato's works, such as "Apology" and "The Republic," provide insights into Socrates' philosophy and teachings.
The ApologyWhat does Socrates claim is the real reason for the charges laid against him?
Socrates claimed that the real reason for the charges laid against him was his commitment to questioning and challenging societal norms and beliefs. He believed that his philosophical endeavors threatened the established order and the power structures of Athens, leading to his indictment and trial.
How did Socrates shape the Hellenistic world?
Socrates' teachings influenced the development of philosophical thought in the Hellenistic world by emphasizing rational inquiry, ethics, and self-awareness. His emphasis on individual critical thinking and pursuit of knowledge became foundational to the flourishing of philosophical schools during the Hellenistic period, such as Stoicism and Cynicism. By challenging traditional beliefs and encouraging intellectual curiosity, Socrates laid the groundwork for the philosophical diversity that characterized the Hellenistic era.
Was socrates Plato or Aristotle born first?
Socrates was born first. According to most people, Plato wrote about Socrates and his encounters, but in his later years started to write his own philosophy as if Socrates had said it. Aristotle was a student of Plato, and was very critical of his thinking.
Are there live people who answer these questions?
Absolutely ! Every user here is a real person - except for the automated system that flags nonsense answers.
In the beginning of the dialogue Socrates seems to be?
In the beginning of the dialogue, Socrates seems to be questioning his interlocutors to clarify their beliefs and definitions, in order to lead them to a deeper understanding and examination of their ideas. He uses the Socratic method of questioning to encourage critical thinking and self-reflection in his conversation partners.
Socrates demonstrates by drinking the hemlock himself?
Socrates decided to drink the hemlock as a final act of accepting the decision of the Athenian court, thus demonstrating his commitment to his philosophical beliefs and the importance of living according to one's principles even in the face of death. This act also underscored his belief in the pursuit of truth and the acceptance of the consequences that come with challenging societal norms and beliefs.
Socrates' primary concern is with?
Socrates' primary concern is with seeking truth and wisdom through dialogue and questioning. He believed in the importance of self-examination, encouraging individuals to challenge their own beliefs and values to lead a more examined life.
Socrates takes the hemlock and drinks it himself because?
he was sentenced to death by the Athenian court after being convicted of impiety and corrupting the youth. Socrates chose to voluntarily drink the hemlock as his way of upholding the laws of the city, even though he disagreed with the verdict. This act is seen as a demonstration of his commitment to his beliefs and principles.
Who wrote the republic and was a student of socrates?
The philosopher and mathematician, Plato, wrote the Republic. He was a student of Socrates' and founded the first institution of higher learning in the Western world, the Academy, located in Athens.
What event occurs first in The Apology?
Socrates claims that his prosecutor have called him a evil doer and a curious person
Plato recorded Socrates' teachings in a series of?
dialogues, including "The Apology," "The Republic," and "The Symposium." These dialogues are considered foundational texts in the history of Western philosophy.
Socrates' goal was to move his students to a higher level of?
Socrates' goal was to move his students to a higher level of understanding by challenging their beliefs and promoting critical thinking. He believed that through questioning and dialogue, individuals could discover the truth and attain moral wisdom.
What contributions did Socrates make?
Socrates was a Greek philosopher, born in Athens in 469 B.C., whose beliefs were a great influence on philosophy. He started his early life as an apprentice for his father, a sculptor, and practiced it for several years, prior to giving nearly all of his time to intellectual pursuits. Socrates, himself, wrote nothing, and our knowledge of his ideas is reliant on the writings of Xenophon, Aristophanes, and most of all, Plato.
His relentless dedication to philosophy profoundly affected his contemporaries, and, because of what we have learned through Plato, on resultant philosophy. Plato's interpretation of Socrates, however, is partially his own formation. However, it is feasible to determine certain ideas that are truly from Socrates. He searched for definitions of words, wondering, "What is justice?" and, "What is courage?" for example. Without them, he believed, true wisdom would not be achievable. He had his own formula of questions and answers to grasp the definitions.
Socrates wondered if goodness, like the sophists thought, would be learned. He felt that there was a connection between goodness and knowledge of what is good, and so, he thought that anyone who achieved that knowledge could not purposely act badly. All of Socrates' intellectual study was precisely for attaining happiness in life by living the right way.
Not surprisingly, Socrates' ideas made him quite unpopular with other townspeople. He made the conclusion that intellect embodied the knowledge of one's own ignorance and believed that others simply were not aware of their own. What we now refer to as the "Socratic method" of philosophical questioning included questioning people on their affirmed positions and helping them to question themselves to the point of outright contradictions, which would prove each one's own ignorance. The Socratic method gave birth to dialectic, the belief that truth must be approached by changing one's position by questioning and exposing them to contrary beliefs.
One thing that Socrates affirmed to have knowledge of was "the art of love." He connected this concept with that of the "love of wisdom," or philosophy. He never straight out declared to be wise, he just claimed to understand the way a lover of wisdom must go to aspire to it.
Although he claimed extreme loyalty to Athens, Socrates' obligation to the truth and the quest of virtue conflicted with the current policies and society of the city. His offenses were that he was a moral and social critic and tried to weaken the common concept of "might makes right" there at the time. he was found guilty of corrupting Athens' youth, and his sentence was to drink a poisonous mix.
Plato and Xenophon both claimed that Socrates would have had a chance to escape by fleeing from Athens after his followers bribed the prison guards. Although, he chose not to do so because he believed it would show he had a fear of death, which he believed no philosopher has and that even if he chose to leave, his thought teachings would not fare better in a different country. He also may have subjected himself to being accused of crimes by the citizens and proven guilty by a jury. This would have caused him to break "contract" with the state, and thus go against Socratic principle.
Who wrote the dialogues' of socrates?
Plato wrote down the dialogues of Socrates. Plato was a student of Socrates and his dialogues, such as "The Republic" and "The Symposium," are some of the most famous works in Western philosophy.
Who did Aristotle study under?
Plato
...and it's "Whom did Aristotle study under, as in 'Understudy'?
Did Socrates committed suicide?
According to his pupil, Plato, and other Greek historians, Socrates committed suicide by drinking the poison hemlock. He had been convicted by an Athenian jury of corrupting the young and of spurning the Athenian gods.
He was given the merciful option of suicide, rather than the normal execution by having his throat cut and thrown into a refuse pit.
Socrates's primary focus was on teaching young Athenian men, such as Plato, who went on to become a prominent philosopher in his own right. Socrates also interacted with other prominent figures in Athenian society, engaging in philosophical discussions and debates with individuals from various backgrounds.
Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher known for his contributions to the field of ethics and Socratic method, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. He did not hold a formal job in the traditional sense, but devoted his life to questioning the beliefs and values of his fellow citizens in Athens.
How did Socrates keep an upper hand in the argument?
Socrates kept an upper hand in arguments by using a method of questioning known as the Socratic method. He would ask probing questions to expose contradictions in his opponent's arguments and lead them to a deeper understanding of the issue at hand. This approach often left his opponents feeling unsure and ultimately led to the uncovering of underlying truths.
What is Socrates definition of virtue?
Socrates defined virtue as the state of wisdom by which an individual knows what is right and acts accordingly. He believed that true virtue is knowledge and that people do what they believe to be good, even if they are mistaken.
Socrates did not have a last name in the traditional sense. He is known simply as Socrates, as naming conventions during his time did not include family surnames like we have today.
