Socrates
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Tags: Historical, Humanitarian & Public Safety, Philosophy, Athens, Greek, Greece, Athenian, wisdom, oracle, truth By: PhilosoPhreak |
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Everything we know about Socrates we’ve learned through his students, Plato being the main contributor but there has been addition insight provided by the likes of Xenophon, Aristotle and a few plays by Aristophones. However, because there is no extensive historical records of Socrates exist, there is debate on whether he truly was a person at all, or rather a character created or exaggerated by these individuals. Regardless, the teachings left behind in the name of Socrates did much to advance philosophy at a time when few were interested in anything beyond themselves. His love for knowledge and certainty led him to question everything. Though this caught the attention of the youth of Athens and infused them with wonder and an interest in wisdom, it also flagged the authorities that a man who questions everything could potentially dismantle their system if enough people caught onto it.
Socrates' love for wisdom and quest for answers unfortunately led to his demise. The Athenian city-state was in a state of recovery and did not look well upon Socrates’ criticism of morality and wishes for a higher course of action among all its citizens. Despite his undying love for the city, Athenian officials commanded Socrates to poison himself with hemlock for his alleged crimes of corrupting the youth. Though he had chances to escape, he did not do so as he did not fear death, and he did not wish to defy the will of Athens if it were to see him die.
One of the greatest lessons Socrates leaves with us today is the Socratic Paradox; many people consider themselves to be wise when in fact they are not very wise at all. Socrates didn’t make an exception for himself in this manner and was recognized by the Oracle at Delphi as being wiser than others just for knowing that he was not wise.
Everything we know about Socrates we’ve learned through his students, Plato being the main contributor but there has been addition insight provided by the likes of Xenophon, Aristotle and a few plays by Aristophones. However, because there is no extensive historical records of Socrates exist, there is debate on whether he truly was a person at all, or rather a character created or exaggerated by these individuals. Regardless, the teachings left behind in the name of Socrates did much to advance philosophy at a time when few were interested in anything beyond themselves. His love for knowledge and certainty led him to question everything. Though this caught the attention of the youth of Athens and infused them with wonder and an interest in wisdom, it also flagged the authorities that a man who questions everything could potentially dismantle their system if enough people caught onto it.
Socrates' love for wisdom and quest for answers unfortunately led to his demise. The Athenian city-state was in a state of recovery and did not look well upon Socrates’ criticism of morality and wishes for a higher course of action among all its citizens. Despite his undying love for the city, Athenian officials commanded Socrates to poison himself with hemlock for his alleged crimes of corrupting the youth. Though he had chances to escape, he did not do so as he did not fear death, and he did not wish to defy the will of Athens if it were to see him die.
One of the greatest lessons Socrates leaves with us today is the Socratic Paradox; many people consider themselves to be wise when in fact they are not very wise at all. Socrates didn’t make an exception for himself in this manner and was recognized by the Oracle at Delphi as being wiser than others just for knowing that he was not wise.
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