The Great Socrates

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Socrates was a great Greek philosopher (Athenian) around 469 BC – 399 BC. He is known as one of the most important figures and one of the founders of European philosophy. Socrates never wrote philosophical texts. All the writings that exist and everything about Socrates such as his life and philosophy were from the writings of his students, mainly from Plato. In Plato’s eyes, Socrates was an idol, a saint, a prophet and a master in philosophy.1 However, others viewed him as a pathetic, ugly and annoying man. The reason why people didn't like him was because his mission in life was to approach people with prestigious positions and experts in their fields and to question them until he proved that all their beliefs were false (prove them wrong).This way of questioning people and making them doubt and contradict themselves was identified as the Socratic method which apparently inspired the well-known scientific method. He believed that the greatest quality of man is examining himself and others, to always try to grow and reach our utmost potential. He would say, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”2. He believed to be a moral hero, a teacher to the people of Athens and a messenger/prophet of the gods of Athens. This will be further developed in this essay with sources principally from Apology and Crito.

Apology is believed to be the most authentic version that has been preserved of Socrates' defense of himself as it was presented before the Athenian Council. The words weren’t recorded at the same time as the trial was happening, when Socrates was making his speech. However, it is said that Plato was present at the tribunal and this way he gave an account in the Apology of the words of Socrates, or at least what he remembered. ...

... middle of paper ...

...crates died with pride, not trying to escape it and that, later, made the people of Athens regret his death and allow others like him to live safely. He had strong convictions and his last wish to the judges was to watch after his children and to never let them go astray from their main purpose, virtue.

Works Cited

1. Brun, Jean (1978 (sixth edition)). Socrate. Presses universitaires de France. pp. 39–40. ISBN 2-13-035620-6. (French)
2. Class notes
3. Apology 21a-c, The trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd edition, by Plato
4. Apology 32c-e, The trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd edition, by Plato
5. Crito 44c/47a-e, The trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd edition, by Plato
6. Apology 33a, The trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd edition, by Plato
7. Apology 30d-e, The trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd edition, by Plato
- Class notes and the readings of Apology and Crito.

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