Philosophy: Socrates

Study Notes

Socrates

Accused of disrespecting Athenian gods and corrupting youth.
Encouraged questioning of traditional beliefs, becoming a controversial figure.
Developed the "Socratic method," emphasizing the search for meaning and truth through questioning.
Advocated for the principle "Know thyself," defining the unexamined life as unworthy of living, motivating individuals to seek purpose.
Defined the self as an immortal soul that exists over time, asserting that individual experience and understanding essence are crucial.
Proposed a bifurcated view of reality: the transient, imperfect Physical Realm and the eternal, unchanging Ideal Realm.

Plato

Plato's philosophy profoundly shifted after Socrates' death, leading to original ideas in morality, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
Shared Socrates' view of the self as an immortal soul; introduced the concept of a three-part soul: reason, physical appetite, and spirit/passion.
Emphasized that true happiness emerges when reason governs spirit and appetite.
Used the Chariot Analogy to illustrate the soul’s dynamics: Reason as the charioteer, guiding the Noble Horse (Spirit) and the Wild Horse (Appetite).
Advocated for enlightenment of the soul towards the eternal realm through intellectual pursuits.

St. Augustine

Incorporated Plotinus' influence and aligned with Plato’s essential philosophies.
Argued for the soul's superiority over the imperfect physical body; felt shame in celebrating life due to the flawed vessel of the body.
Defined the self similarly as an immortal soul; viewed the body as a "slave" to the soul in a conflicted relationship, deeming the soul and body inseparable.
Believed that a virtuous life revolves around love; regarded sin as a deviation from love and divine connection.
His thoughts initiated medieval Christian Doctrine and Western philosophy focusing on the union with God through faith and reason.

Descartes

Renowned as the founder of modern philosophy, also a mathematician and scientist.
Employed rationalism, advocating that knowledge arises from logical and rational processes.
Famous for "Cogito Ergo Sum" ("I think therefore I am"), asserting thought as the essence of self.
Distinguished the self as a thinking thing, separate from the body, advocating a dualistic view dividing the thinking soul and the physical body.
Defined the thinking self as non-material, immortal, conscious, and independent from the mortal, material body.
Emphasized rationalism as the primary source of knowledge, focusing on reasoning abilities to comprehend sense experiences and derive conclusions.

John Locke

Positioned knowledge as derived from careful observation of sensory experiences or memories.
Emphasized the importance of reflection on prior experiences in forming knowledge.
Believed reason is crucial in connecting and understanding experiences, providing the foundation for knowledge acquisition.

Description

This quiz explores the ideas and controversies surrounding Socrates, who was accused of disrespecting the city of gods and corrupting the youth of Athens. Delve into his methods of questioning traditional beliefs and his impact on philosophy. Test your knowledge of this influential figure in Western thought.