Socrates: The Corruption Of Athenian Democracy

Socrates was a greek philosopher who found himself in trouble with his fellow citizens and court for standing his grounds on his new found beliefs from his studies about philosophical virtue, justice, and truth. In “Apology” written by Plato, Socrates defended himself in trial, not with the goal of escaping the death sentence, but with the goal of doing the right thing and standing for his beliefs. With this mindset, Socrates had no intention of kissing up to the Athenians to save his life. Many will argue that Socrates’ speech was not very effective because he did not fight for his life, he just accepted the death sentence that he was punished with. In his speech he said, “But now it’s time to leave, time for me to die and for you to live.”

Where Pericles said that money did not matter, but did not really mean it; Socrates said money did not really matter and means it. “A citizen of the great and mighty and wise city of Athens, -- are you not ashamed of heaping up the greatest amount of money and honor and reputation, and caring so little about wisdom and truth and the greatest improvement of the soul” (Plato, 66)? Socrates said, “Not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money, and every other good of man, public as well as private” (Plato, 66). Socrates believes that Athenian citizens are more concerned with their wealth, but they should not be.

Pericles, a key political figure of 5th century Athens states, “Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves.” The Athenians had no desire to follow what appeared as mediocre government, the Athenians pushed for the best form they could find. Arete, for Athens, meant every person had a voice in politics. Politics embraces the reason of the mind as well as the emotion of the heart. Therefore, the very essence of a good human being would lie in being a politically active person.

Socrates contradicts Gorgias when he says “Communities shouldn’t hold trainers responsible and banish them for what a boxer does with his boxing” (Socrates 22). So Socrates questions how they would be immoral if they were taught to be moral. He uses logos to win his argument against Gorgias by having him admit to Socrates being right. Gorgias thinks a teacher cannot be accountable but then admits people who are taught morality don’t necessarily have to be moral. When a rhetorician abuses the power of rhetoric, his teacher should not be blamed because he teaches the knowledge to be used correctly.

I have confidence in Socrates’ innocence, In spite of the charges brought with him by the court are rather not kidding to Athenians. Socrates’ guard against those charge that he doesn’t trust in Gods is fair What's more addition. He concedes that he doesn't trust in those Gods of the city, Anyhow he will be guided by a portion sort higher being, alternately spirits. He states, “I live in incredible neediness due to my administration with God” (23c). I totally agrarian with Socrates’ contention that the case viewing as much secularism may be false on he puts stock clinched alongside higher profound creatures.

If the men were to wait until they came ashore to conduct the trial, it would have gone differently. One way it would have been different is the jury would have been made up of people who did not know Billy nor Captain Vere. The typical jury has no connection whatsoever to the case that is being tried, but on this ship, the jury really only knew the viewpoints of Captain Vere. The opposing viewpoint may believe that the jury was an acceptable jury because it was made of a group of people who were to help decide the outcome of the court case. I believe that Billy’s trial was unfair because the jury was not acceptable, making his punishment

If the Melian Council had submitted, no harm would have befallen them. The island of Melos would still be standing in it 's usual condition instead of being ruined by the fight between the navy and the army of Melos. The Council were given many chances to change their mind, they knew what would have happened, yet they still stood by their answer. Due to the stubbornness of the Council, they ruined themselves. Both the Athenians and the Melians could have benefitted from each other if they agreed; The Athenians could have gotten more territory, and the Melians would have gotten the protection from another power other than

When the teacher forbids the questions Equality asks, it shows the limitations of his knowledge since he cannot learn more than he already knows. The society believed that being better than the rest of their ‘brothers’ is immoral. Having more knowledge than another meant more individuality and the society did not appreciate that. Individuality is a characteristic that differentiates one person from another, it is what makes one person themselves. The society in Anthem removes the idea of individuality.

Being this calculation is what leaves him prone to being manipulated by Cassius. The logical and abstract meaning that he attaches to Caesar’s assassination blocks him from seeing the need to examine the political maneuvering that is used to justify the murder. In contrast to Brutus, Antony proves to be the most adaptable of all the characters. Although he becomes powerful through offering himself to honor Caesar’s will and give the citizens their money he doesn’t tie himself to this ethical limitation. He uses the fund for political expenditure.

As the ruler of a city, Pentheus was only fulfilling his duties and trying to protect his people from danger. He did not want the life-style for the people of Thebes to shift or modify regarding this stranger who wreaked havoc on the women of the city. Dionysus not only came many years later to pursue his revenge, but he came in disguise. What would convince Pentheus and the people of Thebes that he is a true God? Dionysus, the product of an illicit affair, is immature, fragile, and so power hungry that he lacks any wisdom a typical God would have.

Unfortunately, these officers give other officers a bad reputation, and I think it give more power to the prisoners-thinking that most officers are capable of or even willing to help them for money or

Plato creates a whitewashed image of Socrates, completely undermining the image presented in Aristophanes Clouds. As compared to Aristophanes' clouds, Plato portrays Socrates as wise, humble and sophisticated. Plato was a student of Socrates, whereas Aristophanes was a comic writer and a friend. The original Socrates is unknown, therefore we can only evaluate what others have written about him. Aristophanes writings seems to be a reflection of the public opinion.

Socrates was put on trial for his intentions that were good. Society thought them out to be bad, but all socrates was trying to do was to improve society as whole. To improve society socrates would question citizens of Athens and make them think about their reality. During Socrates trial they accused him of corrupting the youth. Socrates would never willingly corrupt the youth because he saw the youth as the future.

Civil disobedience, an act of non-violent protest, involves breaking unjust laws both openly and lovingly (King 90), to bring about positive social change and uphold a higher form of justice. A higher form of justice, a concept explored by both ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, and modern American civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., requires that laws uphold natural and eternal laws – the laws establishing right from wrong in nature and the laws established by God. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Socrates strive to uphold the justice of their respective societies: Socrates protecting the practice of philosophy and questioning authority in ancient Athens, and King seeking to eradicate segregation in 1960’s America. Throughout

The second form where Socrates broke down that was not justice, would be in the conversation with Cephalus and now Thrasymachus who is a sophist, discussing if Justice is to benefit ones friends and to harm ones enemies. Socrates gives an example of making a musician to make people unmusical, using a horseman use horsemanship to make someone unhorse manlike and he finishes it by comparing justice using justice to unjust people. This example proves that you can’t make people become unjust. At the end of this, Socrates proves that justice is not to benefit ones friend and harm their enemies.