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Socrates, Spielvogel, Western Civilization

1048 Words5 Pages

Socrates was arguably one of the wisest men to ever live. Having written nothing of his own, everything known about him was recorded by his pupils, especially Plato, who is considered by many to be the greatest philosopher of Western civilization.1 The vision of Socratic philosophy can be traced through Socrates' very actions and words as recorded in documents like The Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates. Socrates' vision pours out into what his goals and methods were like and overflows into critical application in society now.
While on trial in Athens, Socrates seemed to keep himself level-headed, defending himself to his accusers while also laying out what his vision and goals were. He spoke to his accusers as he would speak to any …show more content…

Spielvogel, Western Civilization, 64.
4. Spielvogel, Western Civilization, 64. making them think for themselves and question where their ideas are coming from. As well as this, it was his desire to also help men realize that they did not know everything and that they were not as wise as they believed themselves to be.5 Socrates himself realized that the only reason he could be considered "the wisest man on earth" was because he knew that he did not know everything. He says in his trial that neither he nor a man he spoke to "appears to know anything great and good" but that the other man acted as though he knew something, when in reality he did not. In response to this, Socrates' says he "does not know anything, so [he does] not fancy [he does]."6 His realization that his wisdom comes from his own admittance to not knowing the answers is central to his goal of helping other young men realize that they and the people around them do not know all the answers as they claim to.
Socrates' method of teaching and questioning would sometimes leave men feeling demeaned, reducing them to tears because they did not know the answers to the questions they were being asked.7 His teaching method is reasonably named the "Socratic Method," and …show more content…

In society now, people are both easily satisfied by answers and not easily satisfied by answers. They want things as quickly as they possibly can get them, and they are constantly on a seemingly insatiable search to reach new heights of efficiency. As a result of this, sometimes they will settle for simple answers or the most widely believed consensus. By using his method of questioning in conversations, people could begin to think more deeply again and to question what they have merely been accepting as a result of wanting quicker answers and faster results. The Socratic method can pour into nearly every aspect of modern life if people allow it to, and it is completely applicable to time

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The Good Life In Plato's The Apology

1902 Words | 8 Pages

One of Socrates’ friends, Chaerephon, asked if there was anyone wiser than Socrates, to which the oracle replied, “no one” (21a, 85). Socrates, knowing he was not very wise, sought to investigate the claim (21b, 85). Already, the reader can begin to understand how an examined life, is a good life. Socrates is unwilling to accept something as truth, just because it is said by a person in a position of power and respect. He chooses to investigate the claim, to find an understanding of how it can be that someone believes he is the wisest person.

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Comparing Socrates In The Apology, Crito, And The Republic

802 Words | 4 Pages

(20c) Socrates mentions that it was human wisdom and nothing more that has allowed himself to know what he knows. (20d) Socrates even mentions

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Socrates In The Clouds By Aristophanes And The Apology

806 Words | 4 Pages

In this play the Socrates here doesn't sound like the Socrates from the Apology or the real life Socrates. The real Socrates doesn't actually teach per say, he teaches in a way that makes you yourself use your brain. He makes you question everything and understand things based on your own perception. The writer of this play clearly felt as if Socrates was a major problem in his society for allowing people to actually try to think outside of the box and ask questions. He most likely enjoyed the fact that everyone were robots and all thought alike and believed in the same thing because it brought no need to bring out discussion.

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Alcibiades Speech On Ladder Of Love

1745 Words | 7 Pages

This could mean that Socrates had understood, or at least on the way to understanding what is the good and how to obtain it. This interpretation also explain Socrates´s behavior, as recounted by Alcibiades. Socrates spend most of his time either thinking(220D), or talking and philosophizing with others(221D, 222E).He seem to show extreme calmness and unrivaled self control( 221B). He does not desire physical beauty, money,power, or anything else that Alcibiades might be interested in(216E), and seem to only be concerned about giving speeches and

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Characteristics Of Modern Day Socrates

1460 Words | 6 Pages

It’s what motivates people to stay persistent in accomplishing their goals. Socrates was an incredibly determined person. His single goal in life was to learn and to question others, a task he claimed was given to him by the gods, and in this goal, he succeeded tremendously. Socrates was endlessly determined to question as many people as possible, and even more so determined in aiding the questionee to achieve non biased logic in their thinking, while showing that what the claim to know, they do not really. For example, when Socrates was questioning Euthyphro about how he concluded what’s pious and what’s not, he kept asking what Euthyphro meant meant by his responses: “So you did not answer my question, you surprising man” (Euthyphro 8a).

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Euthyphro's Ethical Issues

1330 Words | 6 Pages

A1 Socrates claims that he does not know him, yet has heard that Meletus is young and unknown, describing him as a man with long hair, little facial hair, and an aquiline nose. He also commends Meletus in his charge against him, believing that his concerns are not misplaced and that he likely cares for the well-being of the state. A2 The charges that Meletus brings against Socrates are that he is corrupting the minds of the youth with his ignorance and he is conjuring up new gods while neglecting to believe in the old ones. A3 Euthyphro is bringing charges against his father for murdering a servant, named Naxos, of his property who was also a murderer for killing another servant in a fit of drunken anger.

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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates 'Apology'

1314 Words | 6 Pages

His goal was to make the court understand his beliefs prove which type of knowledge is worth knowing. When talking about the wise man he examined, Socrates said, “Neither of us actually knows what Beauty and Goodness are, but he thinks he knows, even though he doesn’t; whereas I neither know nor think I know.” This shows that Socrates proved he was more wise than the titled wise man because instead of faking the knowledge, that wasn’t too important, he accepted that he did not know which would result in him then seeking for

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The Corruption Of Socrates In Plato's Apology

560 Words | 3 Pages

Socrates was a man that was in search of the truth about wisdom. However, it became more then just a search when it brought him to trail of accusations. As a philosopher Socrates was known to overdrawn ideas and to frustrate anyone he was talking to. He is always in search of a better idea and for anyone who has experienced Socrates could assume he is making up his own actualities. This becomes evident in “ Apology” written by Plato, where Socrates was brought in charges for corrupting the minds of the youth and not believing in the Gods.

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Differences In Socrates's Golden Age

824 Words | 4 Pages

Socrates, a famous philosopher, during the Golden Age, was well known for the creation of the Socratic method. This particular method is a conversational skill where individuals ask thought-provoking questions without providing a lot of information or answers. Socrates' purpose for this method was to influence people to think more critically about their beliefs and basic assumptions about life. Although his purpose was pure, his method outraged countless members of the community because his conversational skills left them feeling ignorant. Despite questioning widely accepted beliefs, Socrates never considered himself a Sophist and continued to share his ideas.

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Socrates: A Threat To The Athenian Society

912 Words | 4 Pages

Making enemies and becoming the topic of conversation, the Athenians began to view Socrates as a threat to their beliefs and way of life and sought to end it. In order to end this, Socrates was accused of blasphemy (Mod1SlideC7). Socrates’s accusers took him to court and after Socrates did not play their game by asking to be sent into exile, and in the end, he was sentenced to death. After reading the textbook and Plato’s writing influenced by Socrates, I realized that in the period of his life Socrates was indeed truly a threat to the Athens society, because he looked for answers that no one else bothered to find which challenged their culture.

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Nature Of Wisdom In Plato's Apology

1107 Words | 5 Pages

We can develop a curiosity-driven attitude to learning and avoid growing stale in our knowledge by accepting our limitations and adopting a Socratic perspective. Response: Although Socrates' admission of ignorance is meant to inspire intellectual curiosity and humility, there is a chance that it could reduce the competence and knowledge attained through specialised fields. It's crucial to achieve a balance between acknowledging the significance of specialised expertise in various fields and challenging and questioning long-held assumptions. This enables us to critically interact with authorities in their fields and add to our existing knowledge.

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Analysis Of Socrates: Four Dialogues, By Plato

1595 Words | 7 Pages

Socrates is quoted as stating, “An unexamined life is a life not worth living” (38 a). Socrates was a founding figure of western philosophy, and a stable for many ideas. He lived in Athens, Greece teaching his students, like Plato, questioning politics, ethical choices, and many other things in Greek society. In the Trial and death of Socrates: Four Dialogues by Plato, it explores the abstract questioning Socrates had towards many of the normal social properties, which led to his trial, resulting in his death. The most important aspects discussed in the dialogues is the questioning of what is pious and impious, what it means to be wise, and good life.

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The Apology Of Socrates

181 Words | 1 Pages

Socrates is considered the father of the Western Philosophy. He tried to aware others about the importance of questioning about the world and doubt of our real knowledge. Socrates's views dedicated his life to seeking individual wisdom and goodness for the betterment of himself and his society, and that he encouraged others by teaching and by examples. “The Apology” written by Plato is based on the trial of Socrates. Also this document summarizes the ideas and thoughts of Socrates through his defend.

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Socrates Courage Definition

602 Words | 3 Pages

The Socratic Method is a casual way to create a great, meaningful

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Three Acts Of The Mind: Understanding, Judgement, And Reason

969 Words | 4 Pages

Philosophical thinking uses three acts of the mind: understanding, judgement, and reason. In order to have a sound argument all of the concepts must be applied. Socrates didn’t want to please the people by saying or doing what they wanted him to say or do. Socrates thought it was not important to seek wealth or fame; he was concerned with truth and virtue. He wanted to create an impact on humanity by relying on the truth and shining a light in people’s lives, even if they put him on trial.

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