The Socratic Psyche :: essays papers

The Socratic PsycheI will begin this paper with a brief account of Socrates. Ifeel this is necessary for those who are non familiar withSocrates. It is as follows Socrates (C. 470-399 B.C.)Athenian philosopher who alleged(a)ly wrote down none of hisviews, supposedly from his belief that writing distorts ideas.His principal student, Plato, is the major source of knowledgeabout his life. Socrates questioned Athenians abouttheir moral, political, and religious beliefs, asdepicted in Platos dialogues his questioning technique,called dialectic, has greatly influenced Western philosophy.Socrates is alleged to need said that the unexamined lifeis not worth living. In 399 B. C., he was brought totrial on charges of corrupting the youth and religious heresy.Sentenced to die, he drank poison.Of the proterozoic life of Socrates, there is little to go on.Looking at W.K.C. Guthries History of Greek Philosophy Vol.III, we can extract some serviceable background information.Socrates was a nat ive Athenian and he was the son ofSophroniscus and Phaenarete. His engender is thought to hold up beena stone mason or sculptor. or so even think that Sophroniscusowned the stone-cutting shop and was quite wealthy. Socratesmother is believed to have come from a good family (378).Socrates was also involved in expeditious military service duringthe Peloponnesian war as a hoplite. Socrates would to have hadthe wealth and status associated with this position. Socrateshad earned high praise for his courage and savour in battle.He took part in three campaigns and his feats of endurance were well(p) known (Guthrie 379). We also know that Socrates was anexcellent soldier and that neither inflame nor cold affected himand that his fortitude was well known among fellow hoplites andacquaintances (Symp. 220b). Socrates was not a handsome man, atleast outwardly. He had bulging eyes, a broad, flat, turned-upnose, thick lips and a paunch (Guthrie 387). Socrates speaksof an knowledgeable voi ce, given to him by a god. Socrates said that hedid not understand the meaning of this voice, but that it point him to seek the truth, the in effect(p), what he felt werevirtuous. This inner voice propels him to seek the truth, to crown him away from what is wrong. As Socrates goes aboutseeking the truth and knowledge, he tells race that he knowsnothing and understands even less (Apology 31d) I would callthis inner voice the morality of Socrates the innate knowledgeof what is right/wrong and what is just/unjust, voices that aremostly negative for people. This voice, though, leads him toseek the answers for unresolved questions.