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The Pros And Cons Of Socrates

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Socrates is completely guilty of being an atheist, of using sophist techniques, and of teaching these things to others. Socrates does not fear the god’s vengeance for revising their stories. Since, he proposes to use religion as a way of manipulating the masses. He states that Homer’s stories are false, since the gods are perfect and they would not change themselves for the worse in order to interact with humans (Plato, Republic. 381c). Socrates believes new stories should be written to guide the young (Plato, Republic.?). However, The Ancient Geeks believed Homer’s stories were akin to scriptures (Vogt, lecture of 1/22/18), and thus cannot be changed without angering the gods. Socrates does not believe the gods exist in reality. Since, Socrates and Glaucon decided that belief should reside between knowledge and ignorance, in opacity (Plato, Republic. 478d). Socrates would classify the gods as a subject of belief, because he has not attained firsthand knowledge nor does he believe the works about the gods. A true worshipper would assign belief as the same clarity as knowledge. However, since Socrates assigned belief as a level under knowledge he does not believe in the gods existing in the mortal realm. Socrates, by actively participating in religious practices, is protecting himself form Athenian persecution. The Athenian society at that time was excessively vicious against those who did not believe in the gods. During this time, the Ancient Greeks believed in

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