Socrates and Ancient Greece



Abstract

This study tries to explore the life, trial and death of Socrates in detail. The main focus of this research is on the 'Misinterpretation' of the teachings and approaches of Socrates and the presence of Socrates ideas within the context of Greek Culture. The city of Athens provided various opportunities to Socrates to become a philosopher but later on the same city did extreme injustice to him. The research also analyzes the various aspects of the 'unjust trial' and tries to gauge its effect on the system of democracy within Athens. Lastly, the research describes various aspects of Socrates philosophical life which become responsible for the charges and trial against him.

Socrates and Ancient Greece

Introduction

This paper intends to explore about the life and death of Socrates. The death of Socrates will be discussed in relation to Greek Culture. Moreover, the reasons behind his misinterpretation by others during his life will also be explored. Socrates was immensely misinterpreted during his life but well respected long after his death. The purpose of this paper is to question the authorities of democratic Athens. Athens has been seen as one of the most powerful democracies of the world, but there is no justified rationale behind this. Athens does not prove to be democratic in real terms when the incidence of Socrates is observed. Putting a wise and philosophical teacher to trial and condemning to death is a questionable act of authorities in the system of democracy. Most importantly the freedom of choice and freedom of expression were ruined in the democratic system of Athens during this trial (Doug, 2002).

Discussion

The trial of Socrates described in Plato's The Apology, and the accusations brought against him with relation to treason against Athens, and in particular the interpretations of Socrates philosophical teachings, and how they were believed to be treacherous to Athenian youth who wanted to listen, or learn from them. In many ways his philosophical thought focused more so on insisting that his teachings were not right, nor wrong, and for this reason, coming to a reasonable answer about anything, be it politics, culture, religion or life itself would not bring a definitive end to a question. One could say that his teachings in Athens were frowned upon like other teachings in eras thereafter, including the Reformation, and the burning of Witches to give broad examples.

This research is based upon the primary sources of 'the trial' written by Plato, and other interpretations surrounding the trial and years prior surfacing on Socrates' life, and secondary sources that focusing on historian interpretations with relation to the thesis statement. This research tends to provide understanding about Athens and its political system entailed, and how it tarnished its own abundance of liberal thought and enlightenment to questioning the world around them. Initially when I started this research I was not delve into this topic so deeply but while comparing the city-states, political and military powers, and the way in which liberal studies including literature, arts, and philosophy ...