History of Ancient Philosophy Paper Essay

Recall that at Apology 37d, It would be a fine liveliness for me, indeed, a gentle reality of my age, to go into exile and spend his demeanor exchanging atomic number 53 and only(a) urban center for another, because hes always creation expelled (C. D. C. Reeve, P-Apology 37d) Admittedly, Socrates could probably choose avoided death by recommending exile if he wanted to, notwithstanding he chose not to do so. Then, what exactly, was in his mind? After having been sentenced to death, Socrates was sleeping in his prison cell awaiting his execution.Early in the morning, Crito visits Socrates and attempts to persuade him to escape the city before the execution. If we look into their dialogues, Socrates suggests examining whether he should do what Crito advises or not, defining himself as a person who listens to nothing within him but the argument that on rational reflection seems scoop out to him (C. D. C. Reeve, P-Crito 46b). Here, Socrates seems to claim that he does not popu late anything, so will choose to do what appears to be the best to him with examining.Socrates uses this unique method of examining throughout the books of Apology, Crito and Republic by continuously teasing to figure out what seems the best. Then, the question is, what does he mean by best in the statement? I argue that it is neither his life nor his family, but what is exactly or thoice. It seems to me that Socrates statement at Crito 46b reflects his personal school of thought that one should strain his legal action whether it is further or cheating(prenominal) before do it. According to Socrates, one should do the action that is fairish and should not make out if it is an un barely action after examining.A great example demonstrating this leg can be found in Apology, where Socrates states Youre not sentiment straight, sir, if you work out that a man whos any use at all should give any opposing weight to the risk of supporting or dying, instead of looking to this alone whenever he does anything whether his actions are just or unjust, the deeds of a good or fearful man (C. D. C. Reeve, P-Apology 28b). This passage clearly demonstrates Socrates character and personal philosophy.Socrates was a person who examines and chooses to do what is just all the same if the consequence of it were catastrophiceven death. In this passage, even in the situation of his own life at stake, Socrates argues that a man whos any use at all, or I make up this as a wise man, should not worry about life or death, but should examine what is just before performing an action that is, the determining factor of performing an action should be based on what is just but nothing else. It seems to me that he could have avoided death if he does not say what he does in the passage.However, he is the person who is persuaded by nothing within himself but the argument that appears to be the best to him, which is justice, as he states at Crito 46b. Therefore, he chooses to do wh at is just at the salute regardless of the consequence of it as he does so as rise up later after the sentence. Another great example that demonstrates Socrates point would be the passage at Crito 54c. In this passage, he also reflects his personal philosophy that one should examine himself before performing an action and should not perform it if it is an unjust action.Dont put a higher grade on children, on life, or on anything else than on whats just. suppose you return injustice for injustice and bad treatment for bad treatment in that shameful way, breaking your agreements and commitments with us and doing bad things to those whom you should to the lowest degree of all treat in that way (C. D. C. Reeve, P-Crito 54c) Once again, it seems that Socrates emphasizes that doing what is just is the highest set in life. Undauntedly loyal to his moral principles, Socrates refuses to leave Athens because he believed that it would be not only contrary to his moral principles, but also unjust to the city.In fact, he believed that it is just in him to awaken the sleeping city, and to influence people what is truly important justice. It seems clear to me that Socrates main concern was to examine himself before his action and perform what is just as he confesses at Crito 54d as come afters That, Crito, my dear friend, is what I seem to hear them saying, you may be sure. Therefore, he listens to what seems best to him and does not escape the city. However, it is questionable to me that if it is just to follow unjust laws.I am tempted to think that it would be more(prenominal) just to fight for just laws than merely to follow unjust laws because when I think of the holocaust victims, I do not think of them as just people, but merely unfair victims of injustice. Despite this, I think that his faithfulness to what he believed to be just is truly admirable. In my speculative opinion, being so enthusiastic to go through the truth, Socrates, perhaps and only maybe, w anted to know what it is after his death and to free his soul in best condition.Or, maybe he wanted to teach that what he believed to be just is more important than his life. Overall, Socrates suggests that life is worth living only if one does the just actions through the philosophical process of examining himself. I find that his character is precise inspiring because doing what is just regardless of its consequences takes a great deal of courage. fly the coop Cited Reeve, C. D. C. A Plato reader eight essential dialogues. Indianapolis, IN Hackett Pub. Co. , 2012. Print.