Philosophy and Socrates Essay

SOCRATES THE PHILOSOPHER Socrates is a storied and important historical figure as a philosopher, because of his and his pupils act on the develop workforcet of the philosophical cosmos. His teachings, famous arguments, and ideas began the bug outgrowth of all after western philosophies. innate(p) in 469 BC just outside of A thuss, Socrates was brought up properly, and thoroughly educated. He was raised as nigh Athenians developing both physical and mental strengths. Socrates then went on to learn from Archelaus the philosopher.Here he canvas astronomy, mathematics, and was introduced to philosophy, which was a new concept at the clock. Archelaus taught of reports for the world with a scientific approach. Socrates, however, cancelled away from this idea and created his receive. He decided that instead of trying to earn the universe, a person should try to render himself. To let loose his philosophy, Socrates spent his days in the marketplace of capital of Greece, inter course people of his ideas. His voice was heard, and he was soon decl atomic number 18d to be the sharp-wittedst of all men.Socrates was s refineed in the imposture of arguing. He developed a method by which he would win every debate. His favorite pursuance was loss to the marketplace and debating philosophical issues with other men in front of an audience. The result of these debates was that Socrates embarrassed the wise men in front of the crowd. This caused galore(postnominal) to despise him. after being named the wisest macrocosm, Socrates attempted to prove that this was non authoritative. He debated with whatever(prenominal) men in the streets. These debates are about of his roughly famous argument methods.He started the discussion by stating that he knew nix. As a result of the debate, he was able to prove that although his opponents claimed that they were wise, they knew nothing either. Socrates concluded that he unfeignedly was the wisest man because unli ke the others, he knew that he knew nothing. Socrates had galore(postnominal) ideas and philosophies concerning issues other than the endureledge of oneself. These included exbroadcastations of the universe, the principle in god, and breedings goals. Other, earlier philosophers, had galore(postnominal) various interpretation for the typography of the world.Some believed that it was do out of numbers, others thought that it was benefit of a single substance, or many different substances, while still conflicting philosophers theorized that everything was yeared out of atoms, and all the same so illusions. Socrates had his own, different ideas. He believed that the world was made of forms that are not within the reach of our senses, just now hardly of our thoughts. This means, for example, that when we think of characteristics such as roundness, we simply picture ideas of it like a ball or a wheel. therefore, he assumed that we only understand specific things that par ticipate in our lives.In his depend for the inner righteousness of oneself, Socrates theorized the explanation to the question of what the goals of livelihood are. He concluded that everyone tries to find the meaning of delight and uprightness in their existence. This is the purpose of look. However, real blessedness comes in many forms and is disguised in a way that people spend their lives looking for goodness, but finding only the darkness in which it is concealed. The only way to discover true happiness, goodness, and the right way, is to richly understand oneself. Socrates did not believe in the Grecian gods or religion.He had his personal view of god. Socrates mat that there essential be some form of divine power because everyone seemed to believe in some kind of god and religion. He in addition believed in a sort of immortality. He hypothesized that there was an afterlife. His explanation for it was that people who had achieved goodness in their lives knew where they were going afterwards, and that evil people tried to ignore the fact that immortality existed. He preached that the soul was a persons true being, and that our goodness in life reflected on the goodness of our souls.According to Socrates, each individual should try to make his soul as moral as mathematical so that it can be like god, which willing allow the achievement of an afterlife. Debating in the marketplace of Athens was not Socrates only daily activity. He also taught his philosophies to a group of students in a vitiated classroom. These students were oftentimes like disciples. They respected and followed in the philosophies of their instructor. Socrates most famous pupil, Plato, went on to become a large philosopher like his mentor. Socrates lived through and fought in the Peloponnesian War.after Athens defeat, the democracy was replaced by a tyranny. This did not bother Socrates much because his belief in governing body was a rather simple and apathetic one. He thought that no matter what kind of presidential term subsists it should be followed solely because a form of integrity and order must exist in a society to control it. maven of the tyrannys leaders was a former pupil of Socrates and detest his instructor. He tried to make life harder for Socrates by banning the t eaching of philosophy in the streets. Socrates neglected him.In response to this, the tyrant tried to kill Socrates but the tyranny was overthrown right on time to pr even outt this. A new democratic regime came into power, the leader of which, Anytus, also hated Socrates because his son, who was the philosophers pupil, turned away from the familys business to become a philosopher. Anytus had Socrates arrested on charges of corrupting Athens young and round them away from Paganism, the Greek religion involving a belief in many gods. Anytus announced the end penalization as a punishment for this crime.It was clearly an unconscionable sentence for a crime that wa s not even committed. Socrates was brought before a jury and instead of use his debating skills to defend himself, he did nothing in his own defense because he was convinced that the entire mental testing was a joke. The jury voted on the death penalty. like a s enthusiastic Socrates had a chance to appeal to the approach. He was empower to suggest forms of punishment other than death to fulfill his crime. Instead of proposing a reasonable penalty, Socrates suggested ridiculous ones which raise the jury causing them to vote on the death penalty once again.Socrates did not seem to sense at all. He was sent to prison and lived their ring by his friends and disciples for his last few days. His life stop by drinking hemlock as his friends cried at his bedside. Only after this scandalous death, did all of Greece fancy what they had done that they had killed one of the greatest philosophers of all time. Socrates life achievements were vast. He introduced new ideas and theories into the philosophical world. His pupil, Plato, went on to influence all of the western worlds philosophical development.Socrates began the evolution of philosophy throughout the world. He took the inaugural step toward advancing modern philosophy, as we live on it. His theories and ideas were a whole new concept that helped rise the western philosophy through all of later history. In conclusion, Socrates historical importance is great, due to his original influence on the evolution of the worlds ideas of philosophy. Even though Socrates neer made indite records of his work, his finest and most successful pupil, Plato, recorded much of his teachers accomplishments and deeds.From these history has learned so much as to be able to advance and erect its entire philosophical viewpoints and until this day, learn from the ancient philosopher, Socrates. INTERVEIW WITH A PHILOSOPHER Mark ? Socrates, you were raised and educated in many different fields, why did you decide to spend y our life as a philosopher? Socrates ? It is true that I be learn up been educated in the arts, literature, and gymnastics as a youth but in my continuing schooling as you may already know, I was taught by Anaxagoras, the famous early philosopher.His theories were not ones with which I would accord such as those stating that all things were made of small substances which contained a little of everything, that the sun was a hot rock, and that the moon was made of earth. For these teachings, he was banished from Athens. Nevertheless, he was a good teacher and allowed me to realize that my philosophies were going to be antiscientific and quite different from his. My following philosophical teacher was Archelaus, with whom I studied mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.I knew that my opinions and theories were strong, I had playing and arguing skills, and my ideas would consist of principles rather than sciences. The simple modus vivendi of the philosopher appeals to me. I enjoy ed the odd behaviors that I associated myself with. All that really interested me was the great mysteries of philosophy, and the questions of knowing oneself, which I utilize my life to learning and teaching. Mark ? Your teaching was extraordinary and much can be learned from analyse it even after your death why is that you never bothered to record your works for later generations?Socrates ? many a(prenominal) have asked this before and for quite obvious reasons. virtually other noteworthy historical figures did keep a record of their works ever since the invention of written language, yet not one of mine exists in writing. I do not exactly know the reason for this. Whether there are records of my work or not, does not matter. I will forever be remembered by my loyal pupils, the Athenian population, and the world. Furthermore, nothing I ever said was of too great importance. And to check you the truth, I never really wanted to take the time to keep useless records.That nonsen se did not concern me nearly as much as most of my other problems as a philosopher. I had to make money somehow, to support my wife and third sons. As you might have guessed, being a philosopher does not exactly bring you riches. One of the reasons I began teaching was to make money. Also, I had to deal with many peoples constant hatred of me, chiefly due to my victories in debates against them. Some, with high political positions, even wanted me dead at points of my life. And one even succeeded. So, you see, no matter how simple and easy going my life may seem, there are quite a few difficulties attached to it.Mark ? Your campaign and death are quite interesting and famous historical events. They have been interpreted by many and confused some what caused you to make such drastic and unusual decisions, the consequence of which you knew forehand? Socrates ? This I am aware of. As a matter of fact, some even claim that I was mentally ill, and pat that as the cause for my actions. This of course I deny. The truth includes a mixture between my philosophical beliefs and the thoughts that have occurred to me during my last days. I always believed that there is an after-life. And that must have somehow influenced my decisions.Even though the sacred part of this came to me only afterwards. At first many others and I thought that this ridiculous trial was an obvious hoax. Who would have thought that such a crime, which I was evidently not guilty of, be punish by the death penalty. I fooled with the court. They on the other hand were quite serious about it. In the last days, I realized that there was no way out. True I could have argued with the court and won. I could have escaped using the plan devised by my dear friends. But since there was a high-ranking leader who wanted me dead, it was going to obtain no matter what.Furthermore, my governmental beliefs stand true in all situations the law should be followed and that is all. in that respect was not much I wa s willing to do. After some thinking, I decided to go on with the law, after all, I had lived a happy life. One that I was proud of living, no matter how unusual it may appear to others. I was an old man of seventy. I found and understood myself, and had achieved happiness and goodness. There was nothing more that I desired. I knew what was waiting for me after death and was ready for it. Word await 2066.