Political philosophy is not a simple set of doctrines or theories; rather it is a way of life. The political philosopher’s life is a constant struggle between the political and the philosophical. He sees the contradictions that exist at all times in both worlds and lives with the questions more so than others. For these reasons, the true political philosopher is neither purely political nor purely philosophical. Nevertheless, a political philosophical life is worth living if the proper balance between the political and the philosophical is obtained.
Socrates, founder of political philosophy, believes it necessary to be concerned with the way one should live individually and collectively, but hold it higher to try to understand this way of life. Because he believes it more important to understand this way of life, he lives with the questions of political philosophy at all times, but cannot provide assertive answers to the question. For this reason, Socrates does not leave a set of theories or doctrines on how to understand the political philosophical life; leaving a set of theories or doctrines would imply that he knows the answers to this way of life.
Illustrated in the Memorabilia and the Oeconomicus, Xenophon’s Socratic writings, are examples of how Socratic philosophy does not have the assertiveness needed for political life. In the Memorabilia, Xenophon recounts the relationship between Socrates and Critias. Critias resents Socrates for giving the opinion of Critias having a swinish passion in desiring Euthydemus, with Euthydemus and others present. Later on, when Critias becomes one of the Thirty, he makes a law forbidding the teaching of the art of speech, an art Socrates possessed. At another time, Xenophon says Socrate...
... middle of paper ...
... But when philosophy is used well, it compliments the political law.
With this in mind, the political philosophical life is worth living when is used to aid the political, because the political is always first. Socrates is open to the political life, as well the possibilities of the philosophical life. Socrates held Ischomochos in high regard even as he saw contradictions in the art of his ruling. It could be said that the true philosopher sees that the political may not be perfectible; nevertheless, he holds the political in high regard. Again, this is to say that philosophy is to assist the political. The political should not and could not be disregarded while philosophizing. In any case, it takes a good-natured person to be a political philosopher. Socrates’s healthy skepticism allowed him to steer the middle course necessary for a political philosophy life.
Socrates put one’s quest for wisdom and the instruction of others above everything else in life. A simple man both in the way he talked and the wealth he owned, he believed that simplicity in whatever one did was the best way of acquiring knowledge and passing it unto others. He is famous for saying that “the unexplained life is not worth living.” He endeavored therefore to break down the arguments of those who talked with a flowery language and boasted of being experts in given subjects (Rhees 30). His aim was to show that the person making a claim on wisdom and knowledge was in fact a confused one whose clarity about a given subject was far from what they claimed. Socrates, in all his simplicity never advanced any theories of his own but rather aimed at bringing out the worst in his interlocutors.
The following essay aims to discuss the opinion that Socrates should not be considered a Sophist, with one’s chosen focal point to be how although he may have shared many qualities, it is his differences from this group which set him apart in a group of his own. The ideas one shall go on to discuss include how Socrates can be equated with the Sophists, as he too saw the importance of this discussion and education of the moral society, the pursuit of such education lead to hostility towards both the Sophists and Socrates, both of whom were accused of impiety and corruption of the youth.One shall go on to argue against this interpretation however, presenting ideas around Socrates methods and
According to Plato, Socrates means that human nature shapes out politics. Where in Book 2, Socrates and the companions discuss how one behaves depends on his human nature, for example, Socrates discusses about how it is human nature to keep one’s body healthy. (Plato, 1992, p. 33). H...
According to Pierre Hadot, “Thus philosophy was a way of life, both in its exercise and effort to achieve wisdom, and its goal, wisdom itself. For real wisdom does not merely cause us to know: it makes us “be” in a different way” ( Pierre 265) This explanation of a philosophical way of life is in all ways the definition of Socrates’ life. Socrates made his way through his entire life living in this way, seeking out wisdom, seeking out answers and never once got in trouble with the court until the age of seventy years old. He believed that by telling people about ignorance and wisdom, that he was only doing so for the good of the people. Socrates even goes as far as saying, “I am that Gadfly which God has attached to the state, and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching you”(Plato 9). Socrates believes that he was sent from God to show people a different way of life, a life of questioning and reason to which he should teach to all people. When asked if he was ashamed of a course of life of which would likely bring him to an untimely end Socrates says, “you are mistaken: a man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong” (Plato 7).
In the beginning of the Republic, Socrates pursues knowledge in a similar way to his other dialogues; approaching the self-proclaimed masters to gain the knowledge. In doing so he asks them for their definition of certain topics then begins a conversation with the other, in an attempt to understand the definition fully. During Book 1, Socrates is pursuing the definition of Justice and receives differing answers: “It gives benefit to friends and harm to enemies” (332d-e), “justice is useless when [other crafts] are in use, but useful when they are not […] It can only be useful for useless things” (333d), and lastly, the one he spends the most time discussing; “justice is really the good of another, what is advantageous for the stronger” (343c). As these definitions are presented, Socrates begins to ask questions, primarily where he sees holes in their argument, or where there exists ambiguity. In this sense, Socrates takes something that is presented, then breaks down the argument in such a way that individuals concede to his persistence. The goal of Socrates,
... them to acknowledge the unjust state of affairs that persists in the deteriorating city-state. Socrates believed it was better to die, than to live untrue to oneself, and live unable to practice philosophy, by asking people his questions. Thus, we can see Socrates was a nonconformist in Ancient Greek society, as he laid down his life in the hopes of saving his state, by opening the eyes of the jury to the corruptness and evils of society. Socrates also laid down the framework for a paradigm shift to occur in his city, as his acquired a formidable fan group, or following, of individuals, who, began to preach his philosophy and continue his Socratic method of questioning and teaching. Socrates philosophy is still influential and studied today, thus his ways of thinking about life, truth and knowledge, changed the way western society perceives the world.
Cahn, Steven M.. Political philosophy: the essential texts. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Of the philosophers I have studied, Socrates stands out to me from all the rest. Although I would be the first to confess that I have never put forth the time nor the effort necessary to consider myself a philosopher (at least not in the sense that I imagine most would consider to be the credentials of a philosopher), my philosophy about life is most closely aligned with what I understand Socrates philosophical beliefs to be. Although there are some distinct differences in what I believe to be the ultimate meaning behind life, which I will later address, I believe his thoughts on how one should live their life to be the wisest of any philosopher we have studied. First, let me relate what I understand Socrates philosophy to be. Socrates believed that we all have a soul. He believed that we are to live our life by principles, and that these principles should be what is considered to be good. He was convinced that there were moral absolutes, a right and a wrong, his reason being that if there weren’t everything would just be relative. This seems most logical. Also, according to Socrates, in order to find which standards we should live by we should test these standards in real life situation to see if they are right or wrong. From what I understand, we are to live our lives according to rights and wrongs - in our dealings with others, and our private life as well. And, this is all in order to be living according to the dictates of the soul, if you will, and not by the desires of the flesh. One of the most interesting ideas Socrates had, I believe, were his thoughts regarding the “true philosopher.” He said that the true philosopher is often misunderstood by other men, that they do not understand that his who...
Political Philosophy is typically a study of a wide range of topics such as, justice, liberty, equality, rights, law, politics and the application of a codified law. Depending on what the philosophy is, it usually tends to be a very sensitive and a personal ideology that an individual holds within the reality of their existence. Several of the fundamental topics of political philosophy shape up the society that we live in as these specific topics and their implementation by the state ensures a legitimate government. In Political Philosophy, the aforesaid concepts or topics are evaluated and analyzed with tremendous depth in context to their history and intent. Furthermore, in a rather colloquial sense, political philosophy is generally a point of view which after some deep thinking asks questions such as, what are the government’s duties? Is it legitimate? What makes it legitimate? What are the duties of its citizens? What are their rights? Are they protected? So on and so forth. In the following paper, I will canvass my political philosophy and elaborate on my reasoning behind it.
History is ripe with stories of great men. Hundreds of politicians, philosophers, performers, and writers have left a unique stamp on humanity. But only a select few can be said to have "changed history." The legendary Athenian, Socrates, was one such figure. Socrates ushered in an era of philosophical inquiry that still lingers to this day. In Book Seven of Plato's The Republic, Socrates outlines his perfect regime. According to Socrates, an enlightened "Philosopher-King" must rule such a regime. Now suppose this Republic actually came into being, and Socrates was asked to rule it as a Philosopher King. Would he? Answering this begs three important questions: Is Socrates a true philosopher? Does he have the appropriate virtues? Finally, and most importantly, if Socrates has the capacity to rule, why is he silent about it?
'"It follows then that God, since he is good would not be cause of all these [bad] things, as most say, but cause of few things to mankind ..." ' Socrates states to Adeimantus in book two. This causes Adeimantus to ponder when he realizes how contradictory his statement had been. "Political correctness also fosters an atmosphere of intimidation and encourages slavish moral and intellectual conformity, attacking the very basis for the free exchange of ideas. Even worse, it encourages a kind of intellectual sentimentality that makes it difficult to acknowledge certain unpalatable realities--the reality, for example, that not all cultures, or indeed all individuals, are equal in terms of potential or accomplishment." (Kimball) Socrates makes is very good at making sure his students and fellow debaters understand that views may vary and makes them question, what then is the correct view and how shall is be decided upon? This upon many other reasons makes Socrates an interesting character. '"Surely there is a third choice . . ." ' Socrates insists in book one when he is confronted by Polemarchos who threatens him to either stay in the Piraeus or fight him and the gang. When he explains that he wants to persuade them, automatically they refuse to listen. Socrates expected as much because people are typically close-minded
Socrates believes that it is a philosopher's duty to follow whatever path God planned for him/her. Whether it is to contradict the government to prove that a law(s), an idea or a previous theory of any subject is partly wrong, or completely wrong and replace it with a real answer or an idea that has been proved to be correct, or to cross-examine people to prove that they are not as wise as they say they are.
Since the dawn of man, the invariable love of knowledge has kindled the hearts of humankind. That true passion in the heart for mankind over the flux of time is the study of philosophy. One of the greatest embellishments to philosophy overtime is the lionized Socrates of Athens born in 469B.C. His life exemplifies a true philosopher’s life, and the aspect of wonder that has cloaked mankind since the beginning of time. Therefore, the philosophical significance of Socrates is strenuous to parallel for he: practiced systematic and logical reasoning, lived an undemanding life, and pursued truth and wisdom.
Socrates felt that, above all, one should be a good citizen and always do the right thing (Plato 18). However, many in his time did not worry about doing what was correct. Socrates realized this, and understood that they did not care to look into their actions and beliefs. Their first thoughts were on the goals that they had, such as money and pleasure, rather than the thought of whether or not the goals they held were actually what should have been considered important and right (Plato 26). Socrates knew that, unless they took the time to question their lifestyles, they would never do the right thing. By living a life that was being examined, the citizens would be living a life that was, for the most part, also right. Socrates believed that a life that was not right was not worth living, which is why he also felt as though an unexamined life would also be not worth living.
Not everyone will agree with Aristotle's political theory, but it is essential to understand the principals that underline the new political theories. Aristotle's politics is one of the most influential books of political philosophy. His main ideology consists in that a man is by nature a political animal because he can reason and communicate with others, therefore, has the potential to alter or change his living conditions for better because he can recognize the difference from right or wrong. Aristotle is proposing that a man with reason has to base his approach towards politics on the fundamental concept of good for human beings. However, based on the evaluation of modern politics, we can conclude that the idea of politics aiming at the human good has diminished.