The Socratic Psyche :: essays papers

The Socratic PsycheI will begin this publisher with a brief account of Socrates. Ifeel this is necessary for those who ar not familiar withSocrates. It is as follows Socrates (C. 470-399 B.C.)Athenian philosopher who allegedly wrote down no(prenominal) of hisviews, supposedly from his belief that writing distorts ideas.His chief student, Plato, is the major source of companionship rough his sustenance. 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 have said that the unexamined lifeis not worth living. In 399 B. C., he was brought totrial on charges of subvert the youth and religious heresy.Sentenced to die, he drank poison.Of the early life of Socrates, there is shortsighted to go on.Looking at W.K.C. Guthries History of Greek school of thought Vol.III, we can extract some useful background information .Socrates was a autochthonic Athenian and he was the son ofSophroniscus and Phaenarete. His father is thought to have beena stone mason or sculptor. Some unconstipated think that Sophroniscusown the stone-cutting shop and was quite wealthy. Socratesmother is believed to have come from a serious family (378).Socrates was also involved in active military service duringthe Peloponnesian war as a hoplite. Socrates would to have hadthe wealth and status associated with this position. Socrateshad bring in high praise for his courage and coolness in battle.He took get around in three campaigns and his feats of endurance werewell get alongn (Guthrie 379). We also know that Socrates was anexcellent soldier and that neither heat nor cold affected himand that his heroism 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 venter (Guthrie 387). Socrate s speaksof an inner voice, given to him by a god. Socrates said that hedid not understand the meaning of this voice, but that itguided him to seek the truth, the just, what he matt-up werevirtuous. This inner voice propels him to seek the truth, tosteer him away from what is wrong. As Socrates goes aboutseeking the truth and knowledge, he tells people that he knowsnothing and understands even less (Apology 31d) I would callthis inner voice the morality of Socrates the ignorant knowledgeof what is right/wrong and what is just/unjust, voices that aremostly veto for people. This voice, though, leads him toseek the answers for unresolved questions.