Socrates s Quest Of Truth - 1337 Words

Born in Athens in 437 B.C, Greek philosopher Plato is one of the most powerful thinkers in history. Coming from Greek aristocracy, Plato had political ambitions as a young man and appeared to follow the family tradition. However, Socrates and his dialectical method of inquiry, which was to question and answer everything to show ignorance, soon captivated Plato. Socrates spent most of his time in the streets and marketplace of Athens, approaching people like the sophist and other powerful leaders about whether they had any knowledge of what they spoke of. For example, he would question leaders on whether they had any knowledge of the terms they used; what is virtue? Eventually, Socrates would get them to realize that they didn’t have any idea of what they were talking about therefore, showing their ignorance. In his quest of truth, Socrates managed to offend many powerful leaders, which lead to his enemies conspiring against him and getting him executed for corrupting the you th and failing to acknowledge the gods of Athens. After Socrates’ death, Plato picks up where Socrates leaves off and comes up â€Å"with his metaphysical theory called the theory of forms.† (Socrates and Plato intro lecture 10) Plato separates reality into two spheres: one of appearance, which is a material world, and one of reality. Plato believes â€Å"in a transcendent world of eternal and absolute beings, corresponding to every kind of thing there is, and causing in particular things their essentialShow MoreRelatedExamining Views Of Philosophy : The Allegory Of The Cave, The Apology Of Socrates And Voltaire s The Essay1423 Words   |  6 Pagesessay examines three brief works that introduce core concepts of philosophy. Comparisons are drawn between Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave, The Apology of Socrates and Voltaire’s The Story of the good Brahmin. Warnings about adopting a philosophically focused approach to life are extracted, as are the inc entives. A central pursuit of truth above all is established to be my own prime goal, which ties closely to these two philosophers own. â€Æ' Philosophy has no concrete definition, and no set boundsRead MoreThe Socratic Method And Nietzsche s Objections1390 Words   |  6 Pagesapology, the story is told of how Chaerephon, friend of Socrates, went to the temple at Delphi to ask the oracle a question pertaining to the wisdom of Socrates, and how it compares to the rest of the men on earth. â€Å"He asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser† (Plato). This response was very confusing to Socrates because he recognized that he was not wise at all, and it troubled him for some time. Socrates then tries to refute the oracle by bringing a supposedlyRead MorePlatos Apology, Summary, Main Characters750 Words   |  3 PagesSocrates - The protagonist of The Apology, as well as all of Plato s other dialogues. Socrates seems to be a very simple man, not having many material possessions and speaking in a plain, conversational manner. However, this seeming plainness is all a part of the ironic characteristic of Socrates method. Professing his own ignorance, he engages in conversation with someone claiming to be an expert, usually in ethical matters. By asking simple questions, Socrates gradually reveals that his interlocutorRead MoreSocrates (Defense), the Apology Essay1014 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates – â€Å"The Apology† or (Defense) Socrates had no written work, never had a job and there are questions of whether he was even literate. However, Plato was a student of Socrates and recorded what occurred at his death trial. Socrates asked lots of questions and made people with political power look stupid. At no time during his trial does he claim to be innocent. He (attacks his accuser instead) There were two types of charges brought against him. - The new or (Official) ChargesRead More Intangible Justice is in the Soul Essay1352 Words   |  6 Pagesbe the most profound in the dialogue, and comes closest to answering the question of Socrates’ success in convincing Glaucon and Adeimantus that it pays to be just. The discussion surrounding the Allegory of the Cave, known well independently of the Republic, begins as an attempt by Socrates to â€Å"make an image of our nature in its education and want of education.† (Plato, Republic[1], 514a[2]). Here, Socrates begins to emphasize the connection between the nature of human education and justice—aRead MoreApology On The Book Apology1308 Words   |  6 Pageswith Socrates making a short speech in which he defends his innocence. He was on trial because of the two â€Å"Later† charges against him. Corrupting the youth and disbelief in Athenian gods were among the charges. Before he began his speech, he made it clear to the judges that he is not familiar with the court system and also that it’s his first time in court so that he will be speaking in his â€Å"usual manner†. His accusers warned the judges that he has a great persuasive power. However, Socrates insistedRead MoreSocrates s Philosophy On Moral Life1 960 Words   |  8 PagesSocrates makes a profound impact in our minds through his wisdom, his power of critical thinking, moral strength and intelligence. In the end it is Plato who immortalizes Socrates in the popular imagination as a man of profound knowledge. Socrates’ effectiveness as a philosopher depended as much on the strength and interest of his personality as on the power of his mind. Socrates’ philosophy was based on discovering the truth, understanding moral life and talking about the elements that make up aRead MorePolitical Philosophy, By Steven Cahn1197 Words   |  5 PagesIn Steven Cahn s book, Political Philosophy, The Essential Texts, philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau created the circumstances to enable the fundamental principals of philosophy and politics. These knowledgeable, astute and significant men have helped to achieve the structure of our past and present democracy as well as a plan of action for the rights and values that we as citizens can all relate to today. They are grounded in their thinking and tied togetherRead MoreServant Leadership From a Christian Perspective Essay1243 Words   |  5 Pagestravel in order to arrive at that successful destination called â€Å"Leadership.† Nevertheless, there was one man who knew how powerful the concept of servitude was in order to grasp the reigns of successful leadership. Socrates was a phenomenal philosopher, scholar, teacher, and servant. Socrates leadership style was unique in regards to letting students communicate among one another in an articulate theological reasoning process by questioning and probing at one’s belief system in order to seek self-purificationRead MoreTruth in Management and Power Relationships1031 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout history, philosophers have come up with their versions of the actual definition for ‘truth’. The Greek philosopher Aristotle had explained truth as à ¢â‚¬Å"To say of what is that it is not, or of what is not that it is, is false, while to say of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not, is true† [1]. Aristotle explains that truth can be described as that something that is definite and distinct in its own form, nature or identity. Another Greek sophist and philosopher Protagoras