The Characters Of Socrates And The Greatest Evils - 894 Words

Socrates believes that he is an individual who had the potential to accomplish extraordinary feats due to his unique set of traits. He claims, â€Å"If they were of any use, Crito, the many would be able to do the greatest evils, and so they would also be able to do the greatest goods, and that would be fine. But as it is they can do neither, since they cannot make a man either wise or foolish† (Crito, 44d). Only certain people have the capacity to complete enormous feats, and those people are not average citizens of the state. Instead, they must have qualities that set them apart from the rest of the population. Furthermore, â€Å"it is reputed at least that Socrates is distinguished from the many human beings in some way† (The Apology, 34e).†¦show more content†¦One area where Socrates is very open about what he doesn’t know is death. Since, â€Å"no one knows whether death does not even happen to be the greatest of all goods for the human being; but people fear it as though they knew well that it is the greatest of evils† (The Apology, 29a). Socrates is emphasizing that people make assumptions about specific aspects of death, but those people don’t actually know what death is like. The majority of people are content to fear death even though there is the possibility that death could be the greatest experience that humans have. Socrates openly claims that he doesn’t know what death is like, but the â€Å"wise† men say that death is to be feared. Socrates challenges the beliefs of the many again, â€Å"we must not pay much heed to what the many will say to us, but to what the one who knows about just and unjust things will say† (Crito, 48a), It is important to ignore what the majority of people say, and to listen to the person who has a better understanding of justice than oneself as that person possesses more knowledge about the topic than the majority of the people. Socrates belief about extraordinary individuals holds true for people in the more recent history. Adolf Hitler is an example of an extraordinary individual who used their outstanding qualities for evil purposes. Hitler rose to power legally and without seizing it himself. Instead he manipulated President Hindenburg into handing power over. Hitler was a very intelligentShow MoreRelatedPlato s The Trial And Death Of Socrates Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesPlato’s The Trial and Death of Socrates presents the reader with complex competing conceptions of what should be considered â€Å"the good life†. According to Socrates, â€Å"the most important thing is not life, but the good life† (Crito, 48b). The majority, who live a non-philosophical life, believes the goods of life include wealth, reputation, and honor: all things that can easily be taken away or destroyed. On the other hand, Socrates lives a philosophical life filled with self-sufficiency. He views wisdomRe ad MoreKnowledge, Knowledge And Self-Knowledge In The Apology By Plato1245 Words   |  5 Pagesby Plato Socrates was a Greek philosopher who stood for knowledge and virtue. He believed that in order for people to live their best lives, it is necessary for them to do what is right. â€Å"It is wicked and shameful to do wrong, to disobey ones superior, be he god or man (Cooper, 29b).† Socrates represents self-knowledge which is evident through his quest for finding someone who was wiser than he was. After his run ins with the likes of the local politicians, craftsmen and poets, Socrates comes toRead MorePlato And Aristotles Philosophy Opinions On Piety And Religion1472 Words   |  6 Pagesthree greatest ancient Greek philosophers we have to mention: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, who they create the earliest western philosophy, their philosophic ideas influence our modern society and culture in many aspects. As we read The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues, we can get close to the thinking of these two philosophic giants at the same time: the author Plato, and the main characters Socrates, who was Plato’s teacher. The book includes four dialogues between Socrates and hisRead MoreThe Mill s Greatest Happiness Principle1543 Words   |  7 Pagesis based on your character. Happiness and virtue are related, because to be happy, you have to be virtuous.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle is the foundation for the Utilitarianism views. Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle is described as the actions that promote happiness, or even just the absence of pain, are good and moral. The role that it plays in ethical decision making is that it looks at the end results of a decision and takes the action that satisfies the greatest amount of happinessRead MoreEssay about Socrates vs Gilgamesh1173 Words   |  5 PagesJoe Arce 19 Sept 2011 Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Socrates’ view of death in the Phaedo, Crito, and Apology is complex. His argument tries to prove that philosophers, of all people, are in the best state to die or will be in the best state after life because of the life they lead. Socrates’ views are sharply contrasted in The Epic of Gilgamesh. In fact, he would probably say that Gilgamesh had not lived the proper kind of life and his views of life, and death would lead to an unsettled existenc e in theRead MorePlato and Socrates Anthology Essay1008 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates Anthology and Plato Plato: I: Apology 1. What are the charges brought against Socrates by his Athenian accusers and what is his reply concerning the sort of wisdom he in fact possesses? The charges that were brought against Socrates were corrupting the young and Impiety. Socrates says â€Å"If you ask me what kind of wisdom, I reply, wisdom such as may perhaps be attained by man, for to that extent I am inclined to believe that I am wise; Whereas the persons of whom I was speaking have aRead MoreEssay about Was Socrates Wise?581 Words   |  3 PagesWas Socrates Wise? Webster defines wise as: (1) having or showing good judgment; (2) informed; (3) learned; (4) shrewd or cunning. In my opinion, Socrates was wise in all aspects of the word. If I were placed in his position and were to make the same decisions, I would not consider myself wise. I would consider myself to be a great fool, but given the circumstances and the parties involved I believe that Socrates made proper decisions in his defense. Socrates knew that the jury was prejudicedRead MoreHate Propaganda And The Criminal Code Of Canada1589 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosopher in the 17th Century† believed in Positive law. He had arguments to back up his theory of that â€Å"humans were basically selfish creatures who would do anything to better their position and that left to themselves, people would act on their evil impulses.† Hobbes felt that â€Å"nations, or people, were selfishly motivated and this meant, each country to be in a constant battle for power and wealth.† Hobbes wrote, If men are naturally in a state of war, why do they always carry arms and why doRead MoreThe Republic, By Plato1172 Words   |  5 Pagesmeans. Socrates truly examines what he thinks the true value behind the word actually is. However, he isn’t alone other characters such as Cephalus, Thrasymachus, and Polemarchus all have something to contribute to the conversation. Socrates is the man who checks the truth b ehind each one, while Plato shares his thoughts on what Socrates believes is true. Truth in all the arguments and what each person brings to the table help them figure out what justice means. Justice in the eye of Socrates is notRead MoreSocrates vs Protagoras1705 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosophy Socrates a sophist? Or just sophisticated? Plato goes a long way in attempting to distinguish Socrates from the likes of Protagoras, a self admitted sophist. In Protagoras, Socrates is depicted as a street smart, wisdom dispensing young man, brash with confidence and a bit of arrogance that goes a long way when confronted with the old school rhetoric of Protagoras. Plato begins to separate the two at the hip right from the get go. The dialogue between Socrates and his inquisitive friend