In The Republic by Plato written 360 BC‚ Socrates touches on the “flaws of democracy by comparing a society to a ship.” If you were going on a sea voyage‚ “who would you ideally want deciding who was in charge of the vessel‚ just anyone‚ or people educated in the rules and demands of seafaring?” If we want to be an antagonist‚ we must passionately find the answer‚ as was done by Socrates’ conversationalist mindset. Should any of us ‚ without regard to level of education‚ experience‚ or skill‚ be
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Socrates was truly a great philosopher who had many interesting things to say during his discussions. He once said‚ “ ‘One thing only I know‚ and that is that I know nothing’ ” (Gaarder 69). Here‚ Socrates is trying to explain that he does not really know anything. He is saying that those who know that they don’t know anything are the ones with true knowledge. I believe that what Socrates said is really important because it shows that even someone who thinks a lot about life knows that there is still
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In the Apology‚ Socrates stated that “the unexamined life is not livable (or worth living) for a human being”. Before discussing the meaning of this statement‚ it is imperative that the key words are broken down. Socrates used the word “worth” in his statement‚ which in this context has to do with whether humans will achieve substance in their lives. When he speaks of “life‚” Socrates is stating that one must venture out of the unexamined life and live the examined life. Socrates also uses the word
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Socrates and the Sophists (Plato’s Dialogues) In chapter 4‚ The Sophist: Protagoras‚ Soccio does an excellent job discussing a group of teachers and thinkers known collectively as sophists‚ and the social environment in which they flourished for a time. These professional educators were known for being widely travelled and thus having much experience with other cultures. This experience convinced many of them that there is no such thing as ’objective standards;’ we merely have a set of culturally
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Sophist‚ or not a Sophist; that is the Question The book Philosophical Conversations‚ Socrates argues that he is not a sophist within his society‚ because he “has nothing to teach” (Melchert‚ 58)‚ and no knowledge to teach about. His argument begins with the statement that “Sophists set themselves up as teachers… Socrates does not. He cannot do so… because he does not rightly know what it is‚ and no one can teach what he doesn’t understand.” (58) Additionally he claims that he does not have a school
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of western philosophy‚ contemporary western philosophy‚ and moral philosophy. This problem was first raised by Socrates. The Greek word for the weakness of will or incontinence is akrasia‚ generally refers to that acts which violate the best choices of human beings. Besides‚ the problem of akrasia means that is it possible for people to do actions which violate their best choices? Socrates clear stated that incontinent behaviors are not possible. This view is mainly reflected in his opinion which is
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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
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Timothy Tran July 2‚ 2013 Philosophy 3 Paper # 1 In Republic‚ Socrates argues that justice is the virtue of the soul. Socrates tells us that justice is desirable because it means health of the soul. Socrates says that justice is the virtue (excellence) of the soul and acting justly makes you happy. The main goal that Socrates wants to achieve is to explain that justice is good and makes you happy‚ so there should be a reason for each individual to act justly. In each individual‚ the “soul” plays
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Quite honestly‚ today’s readings had me going in circles—Socrates’ arguments were slightly difficult for me to follow because his different points were organized or explained in a way that relates his point in a cyclic manner. Regardless‚ Socrates attempts to argue the immortality and the existence of the soul. The most confusing aspect of this was the beginning of his argument. Socrates bases his argument from his un-doubtful acceptance of the soul existing and being immortal; although he is known
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Meno and Socrates are very different characters. Meno seems to be really into his own knowledge and assumed expertise‚ while Socrates reserves himself and his pride by accepting that he knows nothing and humbled himself enough to accept new information and examine every detail to acquire the very best conclusion. They discuss the idea of virtue and the ways to attain it. While virtue is really hard to define‚ and we only know that it has something to do with knowledge and way of living‚ Meno by Plato
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