Socrates
Philosophy examines and probes many different fields. Virtue, morality, immortality, death, and the difference between the soul and the body are just a few of the many different topics, which can be covered under the umbrella of philosophy. Philosophers are supposed to be experts on all these subjects. The have well thought out opinions, and they are very learned people. Among the most revered philosophers of all time was Socrates. Living around the 5th century B.C., Socrates was among the first philosophers who were not a sophist, meaning that he never felt that he was wise for he was always in the pursuit of knowledge. Unfortunately, Socrates was put to death late in his life. One of his best students, Plato, however, recorded what had occurred on that last day of Socrates' life. In Plato's "The Apology", Socrates was put on trial and charged with undermining state religion and corrupting young people. The speech he offered in his own defense provides us with many reminders of the central features of Socrates' approach to philosophy and its relation to practical life. Explaining his mission as a philosopher, Socrates reports an oracular message telling him "No one is wiser than you (Plato)." He then proceeds through
a series of ironic descriptions of his efforts to disprove the oracle by conversing with notable Athenians who must surely be wiser. In each case, however, Socrates concludes that he has a kind of wisdom that each of them lacks, namely, an open awareness of his own ignorance. The goal of Socrates questioning, as he points out, was to help individuals to achieve genuine self-knowledge, even if it often turns out to be negative in character. In the "The Apology," his cross-examination of Meletus shows that Socrates' intentions were to turn the methods of the Sophists inside out, using logical nit picking to expose (rather than to create) illusions about reality. Even after the jury has convicted him, Socrates declines to abandon his pursuit of the truth in all matters. Refusing to accept exile from Athens or a commitment to silence as his penalty, he maintains that public discussion of the great issues of life and virtue is a necessary part of any valuable human life. "The unexamined life is not worth living (Plato)." Socrates would rather die than give up philosophy, and the jury seems happy to grant him that wish. His method in questioning seems to be unsuccessful to the average person. On that last day of his life, Socrates made a quite powerful claim. He claimed that philosophy was merely practice for getting used to death and dying. At first, the connection between philosophy and death is not cl
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Approximate Word count = 959
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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