Socrates

Socrates

PART 1

Socrates and His Inspiring Ideas

Socrates was born in Athens, Greece in 469 B.C. He was a Greek philosopher, the exemplar of the examined life, best known for his dictum that only such a life is worth living. Although he wrote nothing, his thoughts and way of life had a profound impact on many of his contemporaries. Through Plato's portrayal of him in his early writings, he became a major source of inspiration and ideas for later generations of philosophers (Zamosky, 2007). He was a man of great intellectual brilliance, moral integrity, personal magnetism, and physical self-command; he challenged the moral complacency of his fellow citizens, and embarrassed them with their inability to answer such questions as what is virtue?

Socrates ideas that inspire me a lot are his natural cognitive abilities and his attitude towards life. Socrates did not think he knew anything important, and so he simply could not understand why he was deemed to be the wisest. Socrates frustrated his fellow citizens by constantly revealing that their knowledge was limited. Socrates was providing a great service to his fellow citizens, for it is indeed important to understand that one's moral knowledge is limited (Zamosky, 2007). Furthermore, if one thinks that their moral beliefs are infallible, one will be close minded and will be unwilling to take advice and counsel from others. By asking his interlocutors to define moral terms, Socrates would compel them to reflect on their moral beliefs (Zamosky, 2007). Although, his interlocutors were ashamed when Socrates pointed out that their definitions were problematic, Socrates' refutations actually helped his interlocutors. 

Socrates is always the star, employing the characteristic method of dialectical questioning that takes his name to elicit knowledge. In Plato's version, Socrates is portrayed as a defender of a kind of intellectual aristocracy and a critic of Athenian democracy (Zamosky, 2007). Socrates is portrayed by Plato as a model citizen, obedient in every particular to the Athenian state, even to the point of refusing to escape from prison when condemned. He compared the state to his father, and argued that his duty was first and foremost to obey the law, even when the law was in error.

PART 2

Purpose of Life

Prophet Jesus conveyed the objective of life as to serve the word of God and retain belief in his verdict in all circumstances. Socrates highlighted that the hardships and sufferings are just a part of life to test the core belief ...