Socrates PDF

Socrates “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Biography  470 BCE - 399 BCE, Athens Greece  Described as a very ugly man, who often walked barefoot and wore the same kind of clothes whatever the weather  Excellent soldier – he had great physical power and could endure a lot  Father of W...

Socrates “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Biography  470 BCE - 399 BCE, Athens Greece  Described as a very ugly man, who often walked barefoot and wore the same kind of clothes whatever the weather  Excellent soldier – he had great physical power and could endure a lot  Father of Western philosophy  His works was written by his disciples, Plato Philosophy  Rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge“, (Mind/Soul)  There was definite right and wrong.  He wanted life to be fair for all.  He worked to find principles and laws that all could live by and be happy.  Universal: these truths would be applicable for all people, at any time, everywhere and in all cases. Socratic Style  He questioned people through discussions or dialogues.  He chose people who were experts in their field and who fully understood the topic being discussed.  He adopted the role of ignorant questioner.  Pretended he did not know and wanted to be educated. Socratic Style  He asked tactful questions which would bring the experts to a dead end – they would run out of answers.  This showed them, and others, that they did not have all the answers and, so, were not experts  Therefore, the aim of this method was to get to the truth of how a person could live a good, moral life. Why the Socratic Method?  Through the dialogues, Socrates wanted to discover people’s views on living a moral, just life.  Socrates urged people to question what they are being told, as well as their beliefs – question EVERYTHING.  Socrates, himself, learned through this process and developed his own philosophy from this method. The Soul  Had to be nurtured and protected.  Gaining wisdom would save the soul.  This would lead the person to living a virtuous life  “Knowing what is good is the same as doing what is good.” (Socrates)  Believed people would not willingly do wrong.  No-one wants to be a bad person.  Later philosophers would disagreed with him, They said that a person might know what is right but may not be strong enough or disciplined enough to do. Socrates thinking in Action  An action is right when it promotes humanity’s true happiness.  True pleasure could only be attained through living a moral life.  “An unexamined life is not worth living.”  “Know oneself to know thyself.” Virtues  Humility-the quality or state of being humble (not arrogant/proud)  Frugality-characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources  Simplicity-uncomplicated Dualism  Physical Realm Body, Imperfect and changeable  Ideal Realm Soul, Perfect, unchangeable aspect (Immortal/Eternal)  “As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.” “False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.” “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” “Wisdom begins in wonder.” Quotes DSentence eath DSentence eath  Drank hemlock-any of several poisonous herbs (as a poison hemlock or a water hemlock) of the carrot family having finely cut leaves and small white flowers  Could have escaped but did not  Die with dignity.  Poison hemlock, allegedly the plant used to poison the Greek philosopher Socrates, is a common sight along Ohio roadsides. All parts of this plant are highly toxic. Summary  “Know oneself to know thyself”.  Men’s goal is to obtain HAPPINESS.  HAPPINESS motivates us to act towards or avoid things that could have negative effects on our lives.  Fully knowing oneself will enable person to achieve happiness.  Possession of knowledge is a virtue, ignorance is depravity (evil, corruption, wickedness).  Acceptance of ignorance is the beginning of acquisition of knowledge.  Knowing ourselves lies in our own abilities and wisdom. Summary  Understanding ourselves is through internal questioning or INTROSPECTION (understanding our strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes)  Use of Socratic method. End