Term Paper on "Socrates the Philosophy"
Term Paper 10 pages (3202 words) Sources: 10 Style: MLA
[EXCERPT] . . . .
SocratesThe Philosophy of Socrates
It would not be an overstatement to say that the whole course of Western philosophy was influenced by the Greek philosopher known as Socrates. Although he did not leave any writings of his own or, at least, none of these were preserved, his philosophy and his personality are conserved in many of the works of his associates or disciples. Socrates' most famous appearances as a character are definitely those in Plato's dialogues, where he is portrayed as 'the greatest man who ever lived.' However, it has been argued that Plato might have used Socrates' figure rather as a display for his own philosophy. Therefore, it is very difficult to ascertain the exact difference between Socrates as a historical figure and Socrates as a fictional character in Plato's dialogues. However, besides Plato's dialogues, little is known about the actual historical figure of Socrates. Born in the year 470 B.C. In Athens, he committed suicide in 399 B.C. after being convicted to imprisonment and then to death by the state. The extent of his influence and the virtual fanaticism Socrates elicited in his country is apparent thus in the simple fact of his being considered dangerous and consequently condemned to death for his ideas. Furthermore, it is known that he offered philosophy courses to his disciples, refusing though to receive any fee in exchange for his time. An outstanding personality, he distinguished himself as a rational thinker who practically revolutionized the Greek philosophy of his time and continued to influence Western philosophy throughout the ages.
Besides what can be derived directly from Plato's works, what can be plainly a
download full paper ⤓
The influence exerted by Plato not only on philosophy as such but on the whole of the Western culture is tremendous, to the extent that scholars even stated that everything after Plato is but a series of commentaries to his work. Plato's philosophical method is that of question-and-answer also known as "elenchus" or the "Socratic method." Thus, his dialogues are formed around the pivotal figure of Socrates, who entertains profound philosophical enquires with other characters. Although it is hard to sum up all of Plato's philosophy, there is one undeniably essential idea at the core of his speculations: the theory of Forms or Ideas. Although Socrates' own philosophy cannot be easily delimited from that of Plato himself, it is arguable that he must have been the main inspiration for Plato's dialogues. As such, Plato makes Socrates the voice behind all his main philosophical arguments. Thus, Plato assumed that the shape of everything that exists in the world is but a shadow or a reflection of an essential Idea or Form. Naturally, the philosopher considered that these forms were exemplary items: for instance, the Form of Beauty represented ideal or perfect beauty, whereas the Form of Justice represented perfect justice. It is obvious than that, according to Plato, the essential qualities of things or the archetypes are primordial elements, preceding the material or the abstract things in the universe. According to the same model, our souls precede our bodies in existence. This theory triggered Plato's despise for the purely sensuous knowledge that can be derived from the mere use of our senses. To him, the senses can only offer biased and tainted perceptions that stray from the actual truth.
Plato's epistemological theory thus consists of the idea that knowledge can only be attained through the exercise of the pure intellect, unalloyed by the misleading sensuous perception. Needless to say, philosophy stands out as the true method of enquiry into the mysteries of the world since it offers the purest use of the intellect above bodily experience. These ideas permeate most of Plato's dialogues, but here only the most famous works will be investigated. Thus, Phaedo relates the last moments and actions of Socrates before his death. As such, the dialogue is concerned primarily with death and the usual reaction of fear and concern displayed by men in front of it. Interestingly, Socrates prescribes a fearless attitude in front of death and not as a wise response to its inevitability but as celebration of the separation between the soul and the body: "Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death."("Phaedo," 64 d) Thus, the philosopher is the only one who is truly prepared for death precisely because he applies himself to the purely intellectual mode of perception in the world.
Moreover, another essential point in Plato's epistemological philosophy is the famous metaphor or comparison between Socrates as a philosopher and a midwife. Apparently, this comparison might have indeed belonged to Socrates himself. Thus, in Theaetetus, Socrates makes a comparison between his role as a philosopher who is responsible for delivering the truth into the world, and that of a midwife who helps to bring life into the world: "You are forgetting, my friend, that I neither know nor claim as my own anything of the sort. None of them are my offspring. It is you I am delivering, and that is why I chant incantations and offer you tastes from each of the wise, until I bring your opinion into the light of the world -- when it has been brought forth, then will be the time to examine whether it is a wind-egg or quick with life. Until then, take heart and persevere with your answers, telling me bravely, whatever I ask about, exactly what appears to you." (Plato, 157) Miles F. Burnyeat argued in his essay, Socratic Midwifery, Platonic Inspiration, that Socrates's role as a philosopher is analogical to that of the midwife in the fact that it helps the truth to be born in the mind, at the same time easing the pains of perplexity: "The equivalent in Socrates' art of spiritual midwifery is his arousing and allaying the pains of perplexity (151ab), thereby stimulating the further creative thought needed to bring to birth the opinion Theaetetus has conceived."(Benson, 59) a very important metaphor in Plato's philosophy, this analogy between Socrates and a midwife points to the essential role of the philosopher in the world. The emphasis on the effort to attain knowledge is also important, as it summarizes a great part of the Socratic philosophy.
To a certain extent however, Socrates was notably a paradoxical thinker who emphasized knowledge as well as doubt with relation to knowledge. His skepticism may seem a contradiction only at first sight however, as it makes perfect sense on a closer analysis. Thus, Socrates advocates that it is not knowledge itself that should be doubted but rather the reliability of the person that claims it. In Plato's Early Theory of Knowledge Paul Woodruff observes that Socrates did not disbelieve in knowledge but rather in the ability of many people to gain it. This is obvious in the method of enquiry that he generally applies to his interlocutors in Plato's dialogues, where he times his questions so that he might verify whether what a certain person claims is valid in all possible circumstances: "When Socrates disclaims knowledge or undermines the claim of… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Socrates the Philosophy" Assignment:
at least 10 citations
about his philosphy
How to Reference "Socrates the Philosophy" Term Paper in a Bibliography
“Socrates the Philosophy.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2008, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/socrates-philosophy/93164. Accessed 28 Sep 2024.
Related Term Papers:
Socrates Defense Research Proposal
Socrates Defense
What is Socrates' argument that he does not corrupt anyone? Is his argument a good one why or why not?
Socrates is accused of corrupting the young because… read more
Research Proposal 2 pages (769 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Alleged Hypocrisy of Socrates it Is Important Term Paper
Alleged Hypocrisy of Socrates
It is important to note that, in the Apology, Socrates shows a will to go against authority. He is defiant in his trial and displays a… read more
Term Paper 7 pages (1954 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
My Philosophy Over Different Philosophers Scientists Term Paper
Philosophy
My philosophy over different philosophers/scientists
In a book by that title, Paul Kurtz asks, "science and religion: are they compatible?" His answer is that though both may be valid,… read more
Term Paper 6 pages (2818 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Socrates and Callicles Research Proposal
Socrates and Callicles
We may view the Gorgias as offering competing visions of the good human life. Callicles can be seen as a proponent of the political life; Socrates as… read more
Research Proposal 2 pages (833 words) Sources: 0 Style: MLA Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Socrates Said That the Unexamined Life Term Paper
Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living, and the quest for knowledge, and especially for self-knowledge, is key to finding any meaning in life. We might consider… read more
Term Paper 3 pages (1051 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Sat, Sep 28, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!