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Arjuna And Socrates Comparison

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Arjuna And Socrates Comparison
Krishna’s advice to Arjuna and Socrates’ daimonion have several overlapping concepts, similarities, and differences. In the video, the conversation with Krishna and Arjuna almost immediately begins to show some similarities with Socrates’ daimonion. He starts by saying “victory and defeat are the same” meaning he is urging Arjuna to act. Socrates has a well known lack of fear for death because he believes you cannot fear what is not known. Krishna is attempting to instill a very similar concept to Arjuna, sometimes you must act without being afraid of the consequences and you must trust this.
At one point Arjuna says, “With a heart contaminated by the taint of helplessness, with a mind confounded about my duty, I ask you. Tell me what is good for me. I am your disciple; instruct me, who have thrown myself on your mercy.”(Richard n.d.) Arjuna believes in Krishna so thoroughly that even though he considers himself to be in an impossible position, he still trusts Krishna to tell him how to act. This is parallel to Socrates’ complete belief in his daimonion.
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He never specifically spelled out why he presumed his daimonion was always right but it is assumed to stem from the belief that the gods are truly wise and know all things. As he thought wisdom and virtue were the same thing so this meant the god was completely good and virtuous and all good things came from him, therefore, he should not be questioned. This is one of the concepts that isn’t alike in the two scenarios, Socrates’ unwillingness to question his daimonion where Arjuna is constantly questioning and sometimes almost challenging Krishna. For example Arjuna asks, “You say forget desire, seek detachment, yet you urge me to battle to massacre? Your words are ambiguous, I am confused.” Socrates wouldn’t even think to confront his daimonion because his absolute devotion to his

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