The Socratic Psyche :: essays papers

The Socratic PsycheI will begin this paper with a brief account of Socrates. I tang this is necessary for those who are not familiar withSocrates. It is as follows Socrates (C. 470-399 B.C.)Athenian philosopher who allegedly wrote down none of hisviews, supposedly from his belief that writing distorts ideas.His chief student, Plato, is the major address of knowledgeabout his biography. 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 flip 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 early 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 useful background information.Socrates was a native Athenian and he was the son ofSophroniscus and Phaenarete. His father is thought to have beena stone mason or sculptor. Some even think that Sophroniscusowned the stone-cutting shop and was quite wealthy. Socrates spawn is believed to have come from a good 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 earned high praise for his courage and coolness in battle.He took part in three campaigns and his feats of endurance werewell know (Guthrie 379). We also know that Socrates was anexcellent soldier and that neither heat nor cold affected himand that his fortitude was well known among fellow hoplites andacquaintances (Symp. 220b). Socrates was not a bonny man, atleast outwardly. He had bulging eyes, a broad, flat, turned-upnose, thick lips and a paunch (Guthrie 387). Socrates speaksof an inner voice, given to him by a god. Socrates said that h edid not understand the meaning of this voice, but that itguided him to seek the truth, the just, what he felt werevirtuous. This inner voice propels him to seek the truth, tosteer him away from what is wrong. As Socrates goes about desire 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 innate knowledgeof what is duty/wrong and what is just/unjust, voices that aremostly negative for people. This voice, though, leads him toseek the answers for unresolved questions.