Introducing Philosophy Friday: Socrates
I have decided to start a new blog post series that I call "Philosophy Fridays!" So, be sure to look out for a short famous philosopher bio every Friday night at To Render Light for the remainder of this month and February. Below is the first bio for your edification and enjoyment:
Socrates: 470-399 B.C
One of the most influential
philosophers of western history is the Greek philosopher Socrates. Most
well-known for his epistemology and ethics, Socrates was known only by the
writings of his followers and critics. His teachings left a vast imprint on many
philosophical and laymen minds all throughout the world. He was condemned to
drink hemlock for his youth-corrupting teachings about knowledge and virtue,
but his death only made a deeper impression on the minds of the younger
generation and every generation that would follow.
Socrates’ most jarring complexity was his
adamant profession of his complete ignorance combined with his confident claims
of knowledge. At the Oracle of Delphi a diviner said of Socrates that there was
none wiser. Socrates would not believe it, so he began a quest to prove the
diviner wrong. He went to the wisest people in Athens, believing that he could prove
that surely they were wiser than he was. Yet, time and time again, these wise
people, while they might be knowledgeable in their professions, were foolish in
that they assumed their knowledge of their trade made them knowledgeable of
everything. Still, Socrates was not convinced that he was wisest. Though, he made
the allowance that if he knew anything it is only that he was ignorant. This,
he discovered, is the kind of wisdom the gods were referring to—knowledge of
your own ignorance. [1]
Socrates’ ethics involve an
objective standard of good and evil. In the Euthyphro,
Plato gives readers a glimpse of Socratic’s ethics when he documents a dialogue
between Euthyphro and Socrates. Euthyphro is charging his own father with
murder. Knowledge of this act prompts Socrates to ask Euthyphro unto his
definition of piety. They debate the definition of piety at length. Euthyphro
determines that piety originates with the gods. Socrates responds by asking,
“Is what is holy holy because the gods approve it, or do they approve it
because it is holy?” This question is of importance because either answer has
serious consequences for ones understanding of the divine. If something is holy
or good simply because the gods approve it, it is almost arbitrary. However, if
the gods approve something because it is good, goodness must originate outside
of the Greek pantheon. Socrates chose the latter.[2]
Socrates epistemology and ethics
diverge on one point. Socrates believed that ultimate goal of humanity was to
be holy or virtuous.. Socrates believed that, objectively, the acquisition of
knowledge was the most virtuous activity.
Virtue was the only thing that would enable a person to be immortal and
incarnate. [3]His
beliefs had profound effects on his life, and on the lives of those who came
after him. When Socrates was given the choice to cease his search for truth or
commit suicide, he chose suicide. For to him, death was preferable to a virtue
less life. For, a life without virtue would end in death and a life of virtue
would be reincarnated. It is for this reason he said that “nothing can harm a
good man, either in life or in death.” [4]
[1]. Louis P.
Pojman and Lewis Vaughn, “Plato,” Classics
of Philosophy, 3rd ed.
(New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 38-39.
[2]. Ibid., 25, 3.
[3]. Robert C. Solomon and Kathleen M. Higgins, “Ancient
Philosophy,” A Short History of
Philosophy, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1996), 47.
[4]. Pojman and Vaughn,
“Plato,” Classics of Philosophy, 3rd
ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 50.
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