Socrates And The Early Athenian Era - 845 Words

Socrates, a well-known philosopher of the early Athenian era, is believed to be one of the wisest and virtuous philosophers of all time. This belief holds true in the encounters of Symposium by Plato, as depicted by Alcibiades during a symposium held by Agathon. Alcibiades, the last to speak at the symposium, derails from the topic of the night, love, and elicits much praise and gratitude for Socrates. Although Alcibiades did not witness the speech given by Socrates on love, he manages to depict how Socrates endeavors through life with notions that are remarkable to that of what Socrates mentions during his oral, from which much insight is inspired as to the values of which Socrates holds. Socrates is reveled as a man who has no greater desire than to gain more knowledge and holds the greatest beauty of all in that of knowledge. During Socrates’ turn during the speeches of love, he examples what the others have said during their turn and does not discord them, but adds on to reveal how he himself views these notions. Socrates starts by stating that although the previous accounts on love were sound, this is not how he views such topics. He goes on to question the members of the symposium on hard concepts mentioned by those before him and manages to unravel that those who desire something then does not have that of which is desired. Socrates does not live with desires for extremes of the spectrum for any topic, but finds an equal medium that allows him to have betterShow MoreRelatedAccusations Against Socrates1014 Words   |  5 PagesAccusations against Socrates Even though the conception that Socrates corrupted the youth and posed a threat to society was a factor, the most direct reason why Socrates was executed was his method to question wise Athenians. The Socratic method iniciated the corruption of youth by young men who tried to imitate Socrates and as a result, posed a threat to society since the next generation may not follow traditional Athenian rules. Early on, Socrates had clearly established to the Athenian s that heRead MoreIs Socrates Innocent or Guilty? Essay1379 Words   |  6 PagesIs Socrates Innocent or Guilty? Living in a democracy, everyone is exposed through television and other various forms of media everyday to numerous trials by jury. Usually they are rarely given a second thought, but every once in a while along comes a specific trial which captures the attention of the entire country. This goes the same for trials throughout centuries in our past. Although they did not have the same forms of media as in this, modern era, there were still specific trials inRead MoreEssay about Ancient Athens1399 Words   |  6 PagesClassical Age. In early times, kings ruled Athens. In later years, aristocrats replaced the kings. The aristocrats dominated Athens and the poverty-stricken people of this time. These poverty-stricken people had little say in what occurred in their lives. There were however, three main bodies of the Athenian democracy. The first one was an assembly, which consisted of, â€Å"all people eligible to take part in the government† (SOURCE 1). According to SO URCE 1, â€Å"only free male Athenians over the age ofRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1551 Words   |  7 Pagessubtle gesture of self-acclamation, it is the thesis for the life of Alcibiades. For he truly, to his core, believed he was special, apart from the average Athenian. Time and time again, we see Alcibiades go to extremes to achieve the essence of this very statement. It shines evident that he would stop at nothing to be at the pinnacle of Athenian society, even if Athens refused him he would remain steadfast in attaining his maxim. Along the same lines, the notion of character giving rise to destinyRead MoreEssay about Socrates: Much More Than A Legend1378 Words   |  6 PagesAround the fourth century BCE, philosophy in Ancient Greece arose rapidly. This early form was speculative, so it was based entirely off the reasoning process without any factuality involved. While the Hellenistic Era approached, philosophy was taken to a whol e new level. During Greece’s Golden Age, Socrates emerged expanding on these basic beliefs by using his inquisitive mind. Although Socrates’ ideology set the basis for western thought, his dedication to his beliefs brought him about as a polarizingRead MoreGreek Philosophy And The Greek Creation1593 Words   |  7 Pages(philosophers), engage in asking, answering, and arguing their answers to life’s most basic questions. Philosophy is often seen as a â€Å" Greek Creation†. Ancient Greek philosophy aroused during the 6th century and continued throughout the Hellenistic era. It focused on the role of reason and inquiry. The Greeks believed in the rational reason that the world is like it is. What is the world made of? What is the ultimate substance of reality? This is why they were classified as â€Å"thinkers†. Greek philosophersRead MoreSocrates: â€Å"the Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living†1943 Words   |  8 PagesSocrates was the son of common Athenians. His father was a stone-mason/ sculptor, his mother a midwife. Socrates was also a stone-mason by trade and was to follow in his father’s footsteps. It was still yet unknown to Socrates in his early years that his ‘career’ would be that of a philosopher. It is said he was pulled out of his workshop by Crito because of the â€Å"beauty of his soul†. Jobless and serving no direct purpose to the Athenian (Greek) society, Socrates was well known in the AthenianRead MoreComparing Twentieth Century Political Thought Leo Strauss And Richard Rorty1421 Words   |  6 Pageswork’s intricacies and subtle message. Strauss believes that it is necessary for philosophers to disguise their ideas due to a long history of persecution against great thinkers. This list of those persecuted ranges from classical thinkers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, to modern thinkers including Descartes, Spinoza and Kant, to name but a few. As a result Strauss claims that there must be a distinction between the masses, who are ruled by mere opinion, and the philosophers, who are governedRead MoreThucydide vs Plato on The Good Life Essay1927 Words   |  8 Pagesimplications. They shined contrasting light on what is right, just, and good; as w ell as ways to achieve true happiness. In short, each gave an opinion on how to garner the Good Life. Lets start by taking a look at Thucydides, a general in the Athenian army. Thucydides, one of the earliest true historians, chronicled the Peloponnesian War. Being scientifically-oriented, his descriptions of the lengthy war between Athens and Sparta were empirical. His account of events raised questions: WhatRead MoreSocrates s Views On Philosophy1108 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates developed skepticism, questioning, Socrates was tried and sentenced to death in 399 B.C.E. Socrates was denying the gods and was corrupting the youth. Socrates inspired ethics, morals, politics, and government. Socrates was an Athenian philosopher and teacher who promoted the careful examination of all inherited opinions and assumptions on the grounds that â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† A veteran of the Peloponnesian War. His most influential pupils were philosopher Plato and