The source of Socrates’ suspicion of the democracy stems from the argument that the general public is ignorant and therefore lacks the knowledge or truth to make the best decision for government. The foundation of democracy is based on majority rule‚ however because the majority is unaware of what truly is good for them‚ by virtue of their ignorance‚ the masses are not capable of electing a leader fit to run the state or government. Socrates contends that due to mass ignorance‚ the majority will
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Another good Socrates valued was love. Some people say that Socrates was not a lover as he did not love his children. In ‘The Trial and Death of Socrates’ it is evident that he leaves his children behind and even asks the jurymen to test his own children when they grow up. It seems cruel to leave behind his children and even have them tested. To the majority‚ it seems that Socrates do not love. However‚ this is not true. Socrates has a different idea of love compared to the majority’s idea of love
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existing things always follows color." <br>"A shape is that which limits a solid; in a word‚ a shape is the limit of a solid."</center> <br> <br>In the play Meno‚ written by Plato‚ there is a point in which Meno asks that Socrates give a definition of shape. In the end of it‚ Socrates is forced to give two separate definitions‚ for Meno considers the first to be foolish. As the two definitions are read and compared‚ one is forced to wonder which‚ if either of the two‚ is true‚ and if neither of them
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Socrates (469-399 BCE) lived during the time of transition from the height of the Athenian hegemony to its decline with the defeat by Sparta and its allies in the Peloponnesian War. This was a time when Athens sought to stabilize and recover from its defeat. The Athenian public had started to contemplate the effectiveness of democracy as a governmental system. At the latter end of his life he was charged with teaching the youth to “disrespect” the gods of the city. Socrates was convicted of these
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Socrates states that the human soul is immortal and it is reborn again‚ but it’s never destroyed. Socrates also points out that the soul has learned everything that is to know. Therefore‚ when we “learn” about something‚ it is merely just a “recollecting” what our soul’s have learned in the past. This idea is essentially the basis of the argument between Socrates and Meno. Socrates tries to prove this to Meno by calling over one of Meno’s servant and confirms that the boy has no knowledge of mathematics
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Confucius and Socrates both have a very definite perspective of an person and how he/she should live their life. However these perspectives do differ in specific areas and that is what brings me to compare and contrast on both philosophers. "He acts before he speaks‚ and afterwards speaks according to his actions" (Confucius 2-13). Confucius says that we shouldn’t speak about what we don’t know‚ just as Socrates is known for saying "I am wise because I know nothing." Both of them seem to imply
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The discussion between Socrates and Meno revolves around a single question “What is virtue?” Socrates is interested in knowing what the intrinsic nature of a virtue is and what makes all instances of virtue‚ virtuous. In other words‚ the reason why something is a virtue. Although Meno produces a myriad of examples when he says “There is a virtue for every action and every age‚ for every task of ours and every one of us…” it still does not answer Socrates’ question. He provides virtuous examples‚
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The Anti-Democratic Faces of Socrates Socrates is among an elite class of extraordinary human beings. Whether it is religion‚ politics or socioeconomic issues‚ Socrates’ philosophy had a profound impact on Athenian civilization. His thoughts and ideas have sparked many debates and examinations of the way we live our lives even today. In the three dialogues Defence of Socrates‚ Euthyphro‚ and Crito‚ written by the philosopher Plato‚ one can find evidence that Socrates was not an enthusiast for democracy
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According to Socrates‚ an unjust person is an unhappy person. Why do you believe Socrates made this analogy? How does one become a balanced individual? Furthermore‚ Plato also has an opinion of what a well-balanced person is. Show how Plato’s understanding of a well-balanced person is necessary to a society in harmony with itself‚ and how that ties in with Socrates’ preceding analogy. Socrates believed a unjust person could not be happy that only the just person could be happy. The unjust person
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Socrates on Death Now the hour to part has come. I go to die‚ you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one‚ except the god. (42a) Fear of the unknown is a phobia inherent to the human psyche; we are often dually terrified and fascinated with that which we cannot explain or understand. Accordingly‚ death is the ultimate fear; a subject of which cannot be studied or observed first hand without lethal consequences‚ a topic on which no one can rightly claim to be an expert
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