Thesis on "Socrates - Virtue & Truth"
Thesis 3 pages (1048 words) Sources: 1+
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Socrates - Virtue & TruthSocrates was mostly interested in the issues surrounding virtue and truth. His most intense ideal was not only understanding, but also achieving virtue. He attempted to discover this by means of finding a way towards genuine knowledge and finding universal definitions for these concepts in human life. In his attempt to discover whether virtue can be taught, Socrates then widened his investigations into the nature of this quality. For Socrates, knowledge (and indeed "truth") are closely related. The philosopher believes this to such an extent that he also believes that no human being ever does evil things knowingly. Human nature is to always do what a person believes to be best. Rather than inherent evil, conducting oneself in an unacceptable way is indicative of ignorance. In this way, Socrates believes that all the virtues should be cultivated together.
I believe that the Socratic method aims to eliminate inadequate definitions rather than arriving at agreed-upon definitions for concepts. The method cultivates critical thinking by means of questioning. For Socrates, the truth is uncovered by means of elimination - all answers lead to further questions that aim to eliminate the non-truth, until only the truth remains. It is therefore a process of subtracting rather than addition. In this way, all facts that cannot be accounted for by means of the question "why," are eliminated and a better understanding of the issue in question is achieved. This is why this method of questioning has become so popular in teaching. It cultivates critical thinking rather than simply memorizing material. It stimulates the intellect, understanding, and enables further
download full paper ⤓
To demonstrate, Socrates addresses the question of piety in a conversation with Euthyphro. The latter gives a very narrow and focused answer when Socrates asks him for definitions of piety and impiety. Euthyphro focuses entirely upon his own experience of life and his profession. Piety is prosecuting the impious. Impiety is not doing so. Interestingly, Socrates does not either agree or disagree. Instead, he widens the issue beyond the law to religion. Asking Euthyphro further questions about the roles of the gods in piety. Here Socrates illuminates one element of Euthyphro's initial answer, the gods, and uses it to further the discussion. Euthyphro is now confronted on the extent of his belief system, which he proves to adhere to without wavering. Socrates then once again returns to the issue of piety. He demands of his student a more "precise" answer.
Euthyphro then provides Socrates with a wider view of the concept; that is a view beyond his own actions and concerns. While Socrates praises him for this, he still does not appear inclined to completely accept this idea before having fully eliminated every irrelevant aspect. By means of questioning, Socrates then attempts to arrive at the core of each issue before either agreeing with or accepting a certain view.
3. With his words regarding the belief in human things, horsemanship, and flute-playing, Socrates is defending his belief in the gods. One of the accusations against Socrates was that he did not believe in the gods, but that he did believe in spiritual things, demigods and… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Socrates - Virtue and Truth" Assignment:
“PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS SEPARATELY
1.What was Socrates intensely interested in exploring?
2. Is the strength of the Socratic Method the ability to (a) arrive at agreed-on definitions or (b) eliminate inadequate definitions? Illustrate your answer using some dialogues between Socrates and Euthyphro like:
"Do the gods love piety because it is pious, or is it pious because the gods love it?"
Plato: The Apology (Defense)
3.What is Socrates***** point when he asks Meletus, *****Did any man ever believe in the existence of human things, and not human being? . . . . Did ever any man believe in horsemanship and not in horses? Or in flute playing and not in flute players?*****
4.What are some basic assumptions made by Socrates in his response to the verdict of death? In other words, what does Socrates imagine death will be like for him?
How to Reference "Socrates - Virtue and Truth" Thesis in a Bibliography
“Socrates - Virtue and Truth.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/socrates-virtue-truth/860. Accessed 6 Oct 2024.
Related Thesis Papers:
Socrates and You Have Read Essay
Instead this saint set an example of extreme piousness for other brainwashed religious zealots to follow like sheep, for no good reason, for no benefit to humanity or to the… read more
Essay 6 pages (1820 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology
Socrates One of the Most Important Philosophical Thesis
Socrates
One of the most important philosophical figures in history is represented by Socrates. He is considered to be one of the most influential characters in the history of philosophy… read more
Thesis 4 pages (1291 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Socrates Trial Essay
Socrates Trial
Socrates' defense and his decision to face the sentence to death accepting it show that he acted the only way he was able to. He acted according to… read more
Essay 5 pages (1669 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA 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
Plato Socrates St. Augustine Kant Term Paper
Socrates, Plato, St. Augustine, kant and Living a Good Life
Socrates, Plato St. Augustine, Immanuel Kant and Living a Good Life
Four important philosophers in world history, Plato, Socrates, St.… read more
Term Paper 3 pages (870 words) Sources: 2 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason
Sun, Oct 6, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!