There is a man in history that is regarded as one of the most influential people in life. One who has never written any documents, essays or novel depicting his thoughts or life in itself. This man named Socrates laid path for the foundation of western philosophy and for the way we think today.
Although there are no physical documents written by Socrates himself we have learned of his life, teachings through Plato and Xenophon. Plato a student of Socrates shares with us a great many details of Socrates. There is no sure way to prove how accurate Plato’s depiction of Socrates is but in Plato’s writings we find a man who pushes the limit to everyday thinking.
Socrates was the son of a Athenian stone mason, Sophroniscus, and a midwife, Phaenarete. He was born sometime around 471 B.C. To 469 B.C.. He took on his fathers craft and continued to practice it for many years. He would later go on to marry a women who is said to be much younger than himself, Xanthippe. They had three children together and he apparently left them at a young age as he is criticized by Crito for abandoning them.
Socrates’ description in Alcibiades’ Symposium is that of a man who is not what was normal in Athens at the time. Socrates is said to be short and not graceful or at all beautiful. He was also said to be poor only having the bare necessities. As Socrates himself said, “To want nothing, is divine; to want as little as possible is the nearest possible approach to divine life”
Socrates was declared to be one of the wisest of all men by his friend Chaerephon who was told by a Delphic Oracle, a person of wise counsel. Although Socrates was doubtful of this he was convince he must find the truth behind it. He came to the conclusion that not only is he completely ignorant to everything but those who claim themselves wise, were ignorant of themselves. Making him, Socrates, the wisest for seeing how ignorant he was rather than thinking he was wise.
Socrates’ recognition of his own ignorance eventually led to “The Socratic Method” or method of argumentation. By breaking down what they thought was so obvious, by asking questions that made it seem he was lower in intelligence of than that of the person, Socrates was able to get rid of the false common beliefs. This allowed the person to recognize their ignorance and allow them the capability of learning the truth. This method worked very well and had the potential to anger lots of people.It was the Socratic Method that led him to trial in 399 B.C..
In Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo, Plato writes about Socrates right before, during, and after the trial held against him. Each accounts for certain stages of the process.
Euthyphro is at the time of the accusations held against Socrates for corrupting the youth of the city and being impiety, or nonreligious. As Socrates is standing outside the courthouse he meet Euthyphro, a man who is accusing his own father of murder. The accounts in this dialogue show Socrates forethoughts to his own trial as well as understanding Euthyphro’s charges against his father. During this dialogue Socrates employs his Socratic method to Euthyphro’s case and reasoning behind his father’s murder case. In doing so Socrates totally push his own trial and worries aside to show Euthyphro’s ignorance in the prosecution of his own father for murdering a murderer.
Apologia is a greek word of the defendants speech and suits Plato’s Apology well. Although the accusations were brought against Socrates by Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon, Meletes is the only one other than Socrates, who spoke on as his own defense in the trial. There is no prosecution written in Apology but from what Socrates says, you can see what the prosecutors were possibly saying. During the trial Socrates does the same as he did to Euthyphro to Meletus. Asking questions to prove the ignorance of Meletus and those who have also presented rumor about Socrates and his actions. Although his case was well defended he was still condemned to death a vote totaling 301-200.
Usually when sentenced to death by Hemlock the person would be forced to drink that very same day. This was not the case for Socrates as a sacred ship was sent out on a trip to Delos and no person was to be put to death while it was gone. He remained in prison for roughly 30 days before the ship returned and his sentence was to be carried out.
One of Socrates’ good friends, Crito, begs and pleads Socrates to escape from jail in Crito. Crito is a wealthy Athenian who can provide refuge and enough money to bribe the guards as was common at the time. Crito also says that the ship not being there and the time he has been given is a sign from the gods as an ample opportunity to escape. Socrates simply refuses and Crito begins to get upset and angry with Socrates stating that he is giving in and deserting his friends as well as family. Socrates calmly explains if he escapes that his devotion to the city and teaching of the laws would be lost. That if they couldn’t accept his philosophical aspect there then it wouldn’t be accepted anywhere else.
Phaedo accounts for Socrates’ last few hours alive. Once again the title is that of a person witnessing the event take place. Phaedo of Elis was present and retold the occurrence of the event to Plato who was not present as he was at home because he was ill. Imagining why Plato was not present for his teacher’s death is almost an instantaneous thought. It is said that he was sick from the fact that his master was being executed for what he felt was no reason. You would believe that Socrates was upset that his student and close friend wasn’t in attendance but there is no mention of it in the dialogue possibly because Plato himself wrote it.
In Socrates final hours he remained calm and reasonable and urges that the philosopher has nothing to fear. Only because philosophy is basically the study of death. Meaning that only at death can a philosopher truly realize how things really are. That at the time of death the soul is finally released from its prison, the human body. To go on with this furthermore Crito asks Socrates if he has a last request and Socrates replies that a cock be sacrificed to Asclepius, the god of healing. He says this because he is being “healed” with his death and released from his prison as well as from his charge brought against him. There is great irony in this because his charge was that of impiety and by saying to sacrifice something to the gods for thankfulness he is being pious.
The last few paragraphs of Phaedo are quite moving. Socrates is told by the guard what he must do and the guard states that, “I have come to know during this time that you are the noblest and the gentlest and the bravest of all the men that have ever come here.” As the guard leaves he breaks out in tears, showing how much a great man Socrates is as he had spoken with the guard multiple times and usually as the guard states earlier the men who are there are mean and rude to him.
As Socrates takes the drink of Hemlock his friends begin to cry. In the dialogue he seems to get upset at them for this. Saying that the reason he had the women ;eave was to prevent “this sort of disturbance”. As Socrates lays down he still seems to remain calm and collective. His final words are reminding Crito about sacrificing the cock.
Socrates was so popular that even after his death he still had followers. These people were called the “Socratics”. They continued his work in the Socratic method and although Socrates himself never found a school, never professed extrodinary wisdom, never constructed a philosophical system and never founded a following. His life laid work for future philosophers and the way we think today. From Plato to Aristotle you can greatly see the life of Socrates and how he set the level and how much it needs to be raised.
To have the will and courage to die for his thoughts and loyalty to the city is a feat not many would encounter or accept. Socrates though proved that he is one of the wisest men knowing that if he didn’t accept his punishment he would only simply be going against his teachings as well as his heart. His attitude from the trial to right before his last breaths shows a man not afraid of death and a man at peace with himself as well with the world.
Sources:
Engel and Soldan, The Study Of Philosophy. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2008.
“Biography of Socrates”. April 20, 2010 .
“Socrates”. LoveToKnow Corp. April 20, 2010 .
“Socrates”. April 20, 2010 .
