Socrates; the father of western philosophy. By: Frank Gilbert III. 

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Socrates; the father of western philosophy

Biography. [image]. In the Athenian deme of Alopece, Sophroniscus and Phaenarete were stoneworkers and midwives, respectively, in 470 and 469 BC. As a result, Socrates was born to relatively wealthy Athenians and was consequently an Athenian citizen. Like most affluent Athenians, he received additional instruction in a variety of other subjects, including music, poetry, and gymnastics, in addition to learning the fundamentals of reading and writing.. 

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In the Athenian deme of Alopece, Sophroniscus and Phaenarete were stoneworkers and midwives, respectively, in 470 and 469 BC. As a result, Socrates was born to relatively wealthy Athenians and was consequently an Athenian citizen. Like most affluent Athenians, he received additional instruction in a variety of other subjects, including music, poetry, and gymnastics, in addition to learning the fundamentals of reading and writing.

Biography continued. The people of Athens, particularly the young people, were very interested in Socrates. His pals made fun of his appearance since he was infamously ugly, with a big belly, bulging eyes, and a flat turned-up nose. Material pleasures, such as his own comfort and attractiveness, did not matter to Socrates. He had only one tattered coat, walked barefoot, showered seldom, and neglected personal hygiene. Socrates's personality as presented in Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Symposium is so consistent with other sources that Plato's portrayal of Socrates in these works is deemed to be accurate.. 

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The people of Athens, particularly the young people, were very interested in Socrates. His pals made fun of his appearance since he was infamously ugly, with a big belly, bulging eyes, and a flat turned-up nose. Material pleasures, such as his own comfort and attractiveness, did not matter to Socrates. He had only one tattered coat, walked barefoot, showered seldom, and neglected personal hygiene. Socrates's personality as presented in Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Symposium is so consistent with other sources that Plato's portrayal of Socrates in these works is deemed to be accurate.

Socrates was officially charged in 399 BC with corrupting the minds of Athens' youth and asebeia (impiety), which is the worship of false gods rather than the Athens gods. Socrates made an ineffective defense throughout the trial. A jury consisting of hundreds of male Athenians found him guilty by a majority vote. In accordance with the custom, he suggested his own punishment, which was either a fine of one mina of silver or free food and housing from the state in exchange for his services to the city. His offer was rejected by the jurors, who instead imposed the death punishment. In a politically sensitive environment, Socrates was charged.. 

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Socrates was officially charged in 399 BC with corrupting the minds of Athens' youth and asebeia (impiety), which is the worship of false gods rather than the Athens gods. Socrates made an ineffective defense throughout the trial. A jury consisting of hundreds of male Athenians found him guilty by a majority vote. In accordance with the custom, he suggested his own punishment, which was either a fine of one mina of silver or free food and housing from the state in exchange for his services to the city. His offer was rejected by the jurors, who instead imposed the death punishment. In a politically sensitive environment, Socrates was charged.

Crimes and Socrates response. Meletus, a poet, brought the charges against Socrates by requesting the death penalty in connection with the asebeia charge. The trial began a month or two later, in late spring or early summer, and probably lasted for the better part of a day. The charges based on religion came from two major sources. First, Socrates denied that the gods were as wicked as people, rejecting the anthropomorphism of classical Greek religion. Secondly, it appeared that he believed in a daimonion, an inner voice that had a divine origin, as his accusers implied. Plato's Apology begins with Socrates responding to the different accusations made against him that led to the prosecution. First, Socrates fights the myth that he is a sophist or an atheist naturalist philosopher, as depicted in Aristophanes's The Clouds.In response to the accusations of corrupting the youth, Socrates states that he has never purposefully corrupted anyone because doing so would put one at risk of being corrupted in return, which is irrational given that corruption is desired. Socrates requests clarity on the second charge. In response, Meletus reiterates the charge that Socrates is an atheist. Socrates points out that worshiping false gods and atheism are incompatible. He goes on to say that he is "God's gift" to the Athenians because his actions eventually help Athens; therefore, Athens itself will suffer the most if he is put to death. Then, hinting that wealth and status are not as valuable as people believe, he states that although no human can achieve wisdom, pursuing it is the best thing one can do.. 

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Meletus, a poet, brought the charges against Socrates by requesting the death penalty in connection with the asebeia charge. The trial began a month or two later, in late spring or early summer, and probably lasted for the better part of a day. The charges based on religion came from two major sources. First, Socrates denied that the gods were as wicked as people, rejecting the anthropomorphism of classical Greek religion. Secondly, it appeared that he believed in a daimonion, an inner voice that had a divine origin, as his accusers implied. Plato's Apology begins with Socrates responding to the different accusations made against him that led to the prosecution. First, Socrates fights the myth that he is a sophist or an atheist naturalist philosopher, as depicted in Aristophanes's The Clouds.In response to the accusations of corrupting the youth, Socrates states that he has never purposefully corrupted anyone because doing so would put one at risk of being corrupted in return, which is irrational given that corruption is desired. Socrates requests clarity on the second charge. In response, Meletus reiterates the charge that Socrates is an atheist. Socrates points out that worshiping false gods and atheism are incompatible. He goes on to say that he is "God's gift" to the Athenians because his actions eventually help Athens; therefore, Athens itself will suffer the most if he is put to death. Then, hinting that wealth and status are not as valuable as people believe, he states that although no human can achieve wisdom, pursuing it is the best thing one can do.

Crimes Continued. [image]. After being found guilty, Socrates was given the opportunity to propose other penalties for himself. He had the option to ask for permission to leave Athens and live in exile, but he chose not to. Xenophon claims that Socrates offered no suggestions, but Plato claims that he did advise that he be given free meals every day as a token of appreciation for his value to Athens or, more seriously, that he be fined. The jurors forced him to drink a cup of hemlock, a toxic substance, in support of the death penalty. In exchange, Socrates forewarned the Athenians and jurors that unless they changed their ways, they would unavoidably be criticized by his numerous pupils. When his buddies paid him a visit, they gave him the chance to get away, but he turned them down.. 

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After being found guilty, Socrates was given the opportunity to propose other penalties for himself. He had the option to ask for permission to leave Athens and live in exile, but he chose not to. Xenophon claims that Socrates offered no suggestions, but Plato claims that he did advise that he be given free meals every day as a token of appreciation for his value to Athens or, more seriously, that he be fined. The jurors forced him to drink a cup of hemlock, a toxic substance, in support of the death penalty. In exchange, Socrates forewarned the Athenians and jurors that unless they changed their ways, they would unavoidably be criticized by his numerous pupils. When his buddies paid him a visit, they gave him the chance to get away, but he turned them down.

Socratic Method. The Socratic method, often known as the method of refutation, is a key feature of Plato's Socrates. Socrates starts a conversation with a recognized authority on the issue and uses dialogue to demonstrate that the expert's opinions and arguments are incongruous. Asking his interlocutor to define the topic is how Socrates starts the conversation. The interlocutor's responses progressively deviate from the initial definition as he poses further queries. It is concluded that the expert was initially unaware of the definition. It's possible that the other person will define it differently. Socratic questioning is then used to examine that new meaning. Both Socrates and his listeners seek to get closer to the truth with each round of questions and answers. Socrates also uses the Socratic technique to test his own beliefs. As a result, Socrates does not impart a set of philosophical ideas. Instead, he admits his own ignorance while working alongside his students and listeners to find the truth.. 

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The Socratic method, often known as the method of refutation, is a key feature of Plato's Socrates. Socrates starts a conversation with a recognized authority on the issue and uses dialogue to demonstrate that the expert's opinions and arguments are incongruous. Asking his interlocutor to define the topic is how Socrates starts the conversation. The interlocutor's responses progressively deviate from the initial definition as he poses further queries. It is concluded that the expert was initially unaware of the definition. It's possible that the other person will define it differently. Socratic questioning is then used to examine that new meaning. Both Socrates and his listeners seek to get closer to the truth with each round of questions and answers. Socrates also uses the Socratic technique to test his own beliefs. As a result, Socrates does not impart a set of philosophical ideas. Instead, he admits his own ignorance while working alongside his students and listeners to find the truth.

Socrates religious views. The opinions of his era were questioned by Socrates's religious deviation, and his criticism changed the direction of religious conversation for decades to come. There were no sacred books in ancient Greece, and organized religion was dispersed and observed either through household rites or a variety of festivals honoring certain gods, such the City Dionysia. Citizens' daily lives were entwined with religion, and they primarily fulfilled their personal religious obligations by offering sacrifices to different deities. Since ancient times, there has been discussion on whether Socrates was a devout man or a "provocateur atheist"; accusations of impiety were made during his trial, and the argument has not yet ended. Socrates connects divinity with the human soul in Alcibiades. His rationalism often permeates his conversations about religion. Socrates believes that offerings to the gods are pointless, particularly when they are made in the hopes of obtaining a reward. Rather, he advocates for the primary means of worshiping the gods should be philosophy and the quest for knowledge. He suggested that Athenians should pursue religious experience through introspection after rejecting conventional forms of piety and linking them to self-interest. In contrast to conventional religion at the time, Socrates maintained that the gods were innately knowledgeable and just. The Euthyphro conundrum appears in Euthyphro. Regarding the connection between piety and the will of a strong deity, Socrates asks his interlocutor: Is anything excellent because it is the will of this god, or is it the will of this god because it is good? To put it another way, does piety follow God or the good? Lex talionis, or the eye for an eye concept, was taken for granted in classical Greek theology, which contrasts with the trajectory of Socratic philosophy. Socrates believed that gods had to be religious beings, and that goodness existed independently of them.. 

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The opinions of his era were questioned by Socrates's religious deviation, and his criticism changed the direction of religious conversation for decades to come. There were no sacred books in ancient Greece, and organized religion was dispersed and observed either through household rites or a variety of festivals honoring certain gods, such the City Dionysia. Citizens' daily lives were entwined with religion, and they primarily fulfilled their personal religious obligations by offering sacrifices to different deities. Since ancient times, there has been discussion on whether Socrates was a devout man or a "provocateur atheist"; accusations of impiety were made during his trial, and the argument has not yet ended. Socrates connects divinity with the human soul in Alcibiades. His rationalism often permeates his conversations about religion. Socrates believes that offerings to the gods are pointless, particularly when they are made in the hopes of obtaining a reward. Rather, he advocates for the primary means of worshiping the gods should be philosophy and the quest for knowledge. He suggested that Athenians should pursue religious experience through introspection after rejecting conventional forms of piety and linking them to self-interest. In contrast to conventional religion at the time, Socrates maintained that the gods were innately knowledgeable and just. The Euthyphro conundrum appears in Euthyphro. Regarding the connection between piety and the will of a strong deity, Socrates asks his interlocutor: Is anything excellent because it is the will of this god, or is it the will of this god because it is good? To put it another way, does piety follow God or the good? Lex talionis, or the eye for an eye concept, was taken for granted in classical Greek theology, which contrasts with the trajectory of Socratic philosophy. Socrates believed that gods had to be religious beings, and that goodness existed independently of them.

Virtue and knowledge of socrates. According to Socrates' idea of virtue, since virtues are a type of knowledge, they are all fundamentally the same. According to Socrates, a person's lack of knowledge is the reason they are bad. Virtues are together because knowledge is united. This theory also leads to the well-known adage that no one makes mistakes voluntarily. Socrates uses the example of courage in Protagoras to support his claim that all virtues are one: if one is aware of the danger, one can take a chance.. 

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According to Socrates' idea of virtue, since virtues are a type of knowledge, they are all fundamentally the same. According to Socrates, a person's lack of knowledge is the reason they are bad. Virtues are together because knowledge is united. This theory also leads to the well-known adage that no one makes mistakes voluntarily. Socrates uses the example of courage in Protagoras to support his claim that all virtues are one: if one is aware of the danger, one can take a chance.

The death of socrates. After being tried for impiety and corrupting the youth, Socrates passed away in Athens in 399 BC. On his final day in prison, he was surrounded by supporters and friends who offered him a way out, but he turned them down. As per his sentencing, he drank poison hemlock and died the following morning.. 

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After being tried for impiety  and corrupting the youth, Socrates passed away in Athens in 399 BC. On his final day in prison, he was surrounded by supporters and friends who offered him a way out, but he turned them down. As per his sentencing, he drank poison hemlock and died the following morning.