Socrates

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Normally I don't care much for books that make me think or question things about my life. However when I read the first chapter of "The Consolations of Philosophy" by Alain de Botton that is exactly what it did. In the first section a broad overview of Socrates was introduced and to be completely honest I did not know much about his other than the fact that he was a well respected ancient philosopher. Instantly I recognized David's famous painting of Socrates being put to death and hoped that I would get some more background because that was all that I really remembered being thought.

In the second section the author went on to describe some basic background information on what was common and was socially acceptable in ancient Greece. I was a little taken back by some of there practices such as there disrespect for women and sacrifices. Somehow it isn't very ironic that they could justify killing a goat or cow for some god and then sentenced a great mind to death.

Next they talked more about Socrates personal life and practices. I was especially fond of his explanation for marrying his rather difficult wife. He was a simple man that didn't really believe in material possessions especially ones that were obtained immorally. He was a guy that would go up to anyone and just start a random conversation with a stranger regardless of social position. He seemed to show a genuine interest in other people's affairs and ways of life. He spoke of things such as common sense related issues and it was said that people seldom knew exactly what they talked about after they were finished talking to him.

Socrates approached many people regardless of social position for example he had a conversation with two highly respected war generals about what courage was. When one of the generals explained rather quickly and confidently what courage was, Socrates had an example on how that definition of courage would not apply. He had a tendency to make people think out of the box. When he then spoke with Meno a wealthy aristocrat and asked him what wealth was, he then turned the around Meno's confident answer with another thought provoking question. I could see how this might annoy someone that didn't like to be question or shown up.

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