Preview

Socrates Argument Analysis

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
610 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Socrates Argument Analysis
432746
Purpose:
In this paper, I will evaluate Socrates’ argument from Phaedo for why philosophers should desire death, perhaps only secondly to wisdom. I will argue that Socrates unfairly characterizes the truthfulness of the senses, and therefore projects a pessimistic view of the philosopher’s virtue during life. This pessimism towards life in conjunction with arguments for an afterlife that liberates reason, seems to suggest that Socrates believes philosophers should desire death: a happy prospect for condemned man, but perhaps a biased one.

Clarification: Socrates prefaces his argument with by justifying the suggestion that philosophers, who live their lives rejecting their bodies, are in fact better off dead. Therefore philosophers
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Summary Of Socrates Argument For Meletus
    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Summary Of Socrates Argument For Meletus

    Socrates’ argument for Meletus, Anytus and Lycon. Meletus Youth Meletus, let me ask a question of you. Do you think a great deal of improvement of the youth? Tell me then, who is their improver; as you have taken the pains to discover their corrupter.…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Did Crito Decide To Ask Socrates
    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How Did Crito Decide To Ask Socrates

    And so as Socrates questions people he makes them aware of their own ignorance and so by providing them with wisdom he is making them more “virtuous”. The reason why Socrates refused the options raised in court is because by exile he wouldn’t be able to teach people and hence wouldn’t be able to make them wiser and so failing his “duty from gods”. In the same sense; Crito suggests, that if Socrates accepts the fact that he will be executed he will be depriving his sons from his wisdom leaving them to their own ignorance, uneducated. Another concept that Socrates aims to teach is that “no one ever does wrong doing consciously”; however, Crito suggests that as Socrates awaits his death he would only be helping his enemies do wrong doing and so “consciously” doing a wrong doing. Based on the previous analysis of Crito’s arguments we come to realize that Socrates might be doing harm by not escaping prison.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Analyzing Socrates Arguments On The Crito
    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Analyzing Socrates Arguments On The Crito

    In the Crito, Plato introduces several arguments that Socrates makes on whether or not it would be just for him to escape from prison when the Athenians have not acquitted him. Socrates begins by arguing that one must never do wrong. One of the most compelling arguments that he goes on to make is that doing harm to someone is wrong and therefore one must never engage in retaliatory harm. Under certain circumstances, such as self-defense, retaliatory harm is necessary. Socrates also argues that whenever you violate an agreement, you harm the person you made the agreement with. Therefore, escaping is wrong. In this paper, I shall argue that although the arguments support…

    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Plato's Argument Analysis
    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Plato's Argument Analysis

    To Plato, there existed fundamental patterns in the universe, Forms so pure and unblemished that most people will never know them, even as they act as existence in its purest form. All around us, everyday objects toe the line between these pure existences, never committing to one yet never abandoning one. To those few who could gaze upon these paradigms and look beyond the pale imitations in every object, Plato gave the name Philosophers. In the Book V of the Republic, Plato’s definition of philosophers is essential in illustrating the closest possible parallel in real life to his model city by taking account of the occasion of the argument and acting as the foundation of his argument.…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Socrates Ambiguity
    • 73 Words
    • 1 Page

    Socrates Ambiguity

    The first, perhaps the most obvious ambiguity of Book Two that complicates the readers’ understating is that Socrates’s criticism against the poets. Socrates claims that any poets that do not depict gods precisely are false and lies. Also, the usage of the poets to represent them as a bad example which children can learn from should be banned from telling them because, as he assumes, the god is only responsible for the good.…

    • 73 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates '
    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates '

    One of the major themes that Socrates heavily focused on in his speech was the philosophical ideas of wisdom and a description of Socrates’ own wisdom as well. Older accusers had allegedly claimed that Socrates did not believe in gods, and instead would try to explain phenomenons through physical explanations instead, as well as the fact that Socrates would teach others how to make a weak argument triumph a stronger one by using clever rhetorics. In Socrates’ defense, he has stated that he does not have any kind of competence and expertise in any of these areas. This statement truly divides Socrates from sophists and even Presocratics, as teachers that each belong to these organizations assert that only through experience and examination they can gain…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Socrates Ignorance Research Paper
    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page

    Socrates Ignorance Research Paper

    Socrates' step in accepting the fact that one is ignorant is very important. It is much like realizing that one has a problem and how that is the first step to correction and improvement. I agree that in many ways today, we are witnessing the same conditions that lead to Socrates' death that existed in Ancient Greece. It is a very interesting comparison and I can see the relations. As for what can be done, I am quite unsure at this time. As Socrates would suggest, I am wise enough to admit of my ignorance on the matter. What was something that you read regarding Socrates that has stood out to you and is perhaps influential? Good job this…

    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Nature And Convention Socrates Analysis
    • 1868 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Nature And Convention Socrates Analysis

    1. Callicles claims that we only have to look at nature to find evidence that it is right for better people to have a greater share than worse people. How does Socrates respond to this argument? Who makes the stronger case? Why?…

    • 1868 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Socrates And Meno Analysis
    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Socrates And Meno Analysis

    what it is to have knowledge. Is there a difference between knowing something and having a…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Did The Parthenon Influence Western Civilization
    • 811 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Did The Parthenon Influence Western Civilization

    In ancient Greece, philosophy was becoming a big thing. Many people were against it and wanted to get rid of philosophers. There was a famous trial in which the Athenians tried to put Socrates to rest. He was accused of attacking conventional ideas and ways of life. They said he was a bad influence on all of Athens. During the trial they gave him three options. He could be killed, exiled, or sentenced to life in jail. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” which means there is no point of living if he has to change his…

    • 811 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Arguments Against Socrates
    • 1771 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Arguments Against Socrates

    Socrates sits in a prison cell, sentenced to death. His wealthy friend Crito has come to speak with him as he waits for a ship from Delos to return and allow executions to begin. Socrates knows that he, “must die the day after the ship arrives (Plato, 44).” Socrates also knows that he is not guilty of the crimes he was convicted of, stating, “There have been many who have accused me to you for many years now, and none of their accusations are true (Plato 22).” It is in this context that Crito offers to free his friend and that Socrates argues that he should face the punishment he was sentenced to.Socrates argues that he has entered an agreement with the city and that it would be unjust to break that agreement…

    • 1771 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "The Death of Socrates" Analysis Essay Example
    • 607 Words
    • 3 Pages

    "The Death of Socrates" Analysis Essay Example

    Plato’s “The Death of Socrates”, a piece detailing Socrates’ death and his followers’ reactions to his passing, has been reflected on throughout history and is still relevant in its emotions and messages about death. Throughout the piece itself, many of his followers are upset over Socrates’s impending death, and yet, Socrates is not upset, and is actually scolding the others about their feelings and reactions. Socrates understands that his followers are not taking his sentence to death well, shown when Socrates states, “Be of good cheer, then, my dear Crito, and say that you are burying my body only, and do with that as is usual, and as you think best”. Socrates is sensible about his death and knows it is inevitable, and as a result, feels no sorrow in comparison to his followers. This lack of sorrow in Socrates and the pain felt by his followers is shown in David’s painting, The Death of Socrates. In the painting, Socrates does not seem at all concerned about his fate, more so about the others around him, mainly Crito. On the stool by Socrates’ side is Plato, with a hand on Socrates’ leg, looking rather concerned and solemn. However, Socrates is quite the opposite, and appears to be scolding Crito and the others about their lack of control of their emotions. He obviously does not care about his impending death, shown when he reaches for the cup full of poison casually, not even looking at it. This cup holds his death, and his lack of emotion on this particular subject shows his true feelings. Socrates did earn this fate by supposedly corrupting the youth, and although this was unjust, Socrates is willing to die to uphold his cause and what he believes is right. He is sacrificing for the greater good of the community, even if it does not seem as such, since he is essentially taking his own life, and rather willingly. He is more willing to stay true to his belief in civil service than to stay alive, and this is the main reason why David painted this…

    • 607 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Socrates Recollection Essay
    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Socrates Recollection Essay

    I have never been a big fan of reincarnation, but I think it’s really interesting that how Socrates looked at it. I think it’s true that we knew the stuff that we know now from before. The brain is the most complicated organs in the body and doesn’t matter how much science improved and now we know about brain way much more, but still there’s a lot of mystery that we don’t know about it and recollection could be one of them.…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Reincarnation In The Phaedo
    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Reincarnation In The Phaedo

    In the dialogue, The Phaedo, Plato gives an account of the final moments of Socrates. Several arguments are presented and discussed. These arguments regard the immortality of the soul and reincarnation. In this essay I will present a brief summary of the dialogue, explain one of the arguments presented in it, and finally show why the argument fails to prove the notion of reincarnation.…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Questions on Socrates
    • 1149 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Questions on Socrates

    1. What are the needs of the political community? What must all political communities do to insure their survival? What about Philosophy? What does philosophy seek? How does it go about this process?…

    • 1149 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More