The Value of a Philosopher: Socrates - Essay Example

Value of a philosopher: Socrates Introduction Socrates is one of the greatest ancient Greek philosophers of the fifth century. However, there is no opportunity to analyze his great works, because he was teaching and philosophizing orally. Famous Xenophon and Plato were Socrates’ students who managed to record some of the great thoughts and teachings of the wise philosopher (Harris & Taylor, 4). Socrates’ main direction in teaching was logical way of thinking. One of the most famous Socratic methods of teaching was a dialogue, during which knowledge was uncovered by logical thinking of a student and reasonable guidance by a teacher. Thesis, Socrates’ personal input in development of Athens is in his Method of Inquiry, excellent oratorical skills, beliefs and teachings about eternal virtues. Therefore, it would be justified to claim that Socrates provided a ‘vital’ service to Athens. At the same time, however, Socrates was a brilliant speaker and could charm his audience without much effort. Some of the listeners were really bothered by his thoughts and claims, while the others really liked the way of thinking Socrates presented to them. The variety of topics Socrates covered was rather fast starting individual and the state and ending with religious issues. Being atheist himself Socrates claimed that there is only one God and not many. Because of his ‘anti-religious’ claims the great philosopher was sentenced to death becoming a national martyr. Socrates’ Rhetoric Because primary means of expression was oral language in Athens, it was crucial to know how to speak on public. Socrates was one of the great speakers at his time. Laws were firstly discussed and only then recorded. Persuasive speaking was one of the major skills of successful leader or beginning politician. Most of the important social and political issues were decided through oral debates and speeches. An effective interlocutor could defend himself easily in court. Therefore, speaking skills as well as education were essential to be effective in any state affair and in public life in general (Colaiaco, 24). When Socrates was young he also belongs to the so-called group of philosophers, sophists. The sophists became central figures in political life of Greece and especially of Athens. These people were believed to be wise and able to teach their wisdom to the others. Therefore, the Athenians used to believe that philosophical education especially that of sophists was the essential part of further successful career. However, Socrates knew this system too well and it was the reason that he decided to leave the sophists. Later, during his defensive Socrates proves that effective persuasive speech is not necessarily true speech. He begins his defensive speech with the following ironic statement, which is also the beginning of the Apology: I don’t know, men of Athens, how you were affected by my accusers. As for me, I was almost carried away by them, the spoke so persuasively. And yet almost nothing they said is true. Among their many falsehoods, however, one especially amazed me: that you must be careful not to be deceived by me, since I’m dangerously clever speaker (Morgan, 46). Such a warning of the Sophists implies that Socrates was very effective public speaker. Their fear that he might influence judges is sincere. However, Socrates from his side tries to make a distinction between deceitful persuasive speaking and truthful speech, that of sophists and his own respectively. Colaiaco makes an assertion that during his trial Socrates raises the issue of “the morality of conversional forensic rhetoric” (p. 28). From the very beginning to the very end of his life Socrates was sincere and truthful in everything he did and said. The major distinction between Socrates and the sophists is that he was speaking from the bottom of his soul conversing the truth and wisdom of life by effective speech; while the sophists were delivering effective speech, whether truthful or not, to reach their aim, which was to persuade the audience. Rhetoric men like the Sophists are simply actors playing their role, whereas Socrates is a genius delivering fundamental truth, good, and eternal wisdom. Therefore, Socrates is one of the most influential men of Athens, whose rhetorical skills and life wisdom are worse remembering and following as an example. It is not only Socrates who had to die for his idea. Athenian democracy which was inconvenient to Sparta, the winner of Peloponnesian war (427-347 BC), was also defeated. Socrates’ judgments and views of the Athenian leaders at that time led to his trial and eventual execution in 399 BC (Harris & Taylor, 2). Socrates accepted cup with poison and his destiny without much hesitation or opposition. He did not want to change his ideas, so he accepted his sentence as something inescapable and irreversible. Probably he was thinking of himself as a hero, because he had enough courage not to escape or change his opinion. Socrates was an extraordinary person. Therefore, he is remembered as someone special like a hero. Socratic Method of Inquiry Socrates is also famous for his unique method of teaching which dialogue is. Socratic dialogue or the Socratic Method is considered to be a significant contribution into Western philosophy. This method of enquiry is used by different educators even nowadays and is considered to be very effective. He could prepare questions in such a way that answering them a student would come to his answer or some essential discovery himself. The most important is that such kind of educational methodology is used for evaluation of moral concepts such as wisdom, the good, eternal truth, justice, etc. This method as well as many other philosophical teaching of Socrates was described by his student Plato in the Socratic Dialogues (Benson, 23). Therefore, philosophy of Socrates and his teachings prove that he provided ‘value’ service to Athens and, what is more, to the whole humanity. It becomes obvious why Socrates is called father of philosophy and ethics. He is also a father of Western philosophy. There are many studies devoted to the Socratic Method and his teachings looked at from different perspectives: religious, ethical, moral, social, political, economical, education, and so on. Socratic Method or Socratic Elenchos is an ancient and, at the same time, unique method of teaching which gives possibility to discover and extend the knowledge of the learner simply by answering a set of questions. Eliminating false suppositions, the learner tries to come to the right decision by himself. Contradictory questions push the student to make his choice. If the answer leads him in wrong direction, the instructor has to ask other type of questions which would lead the student to the right path (“Socrates”, 2010). Socrates came up with such an idea of logical questioning and inquiry to check his own ideas and truthfulness of this thing. This idea became known to the general public of Athens and later of the whole world. Conclusion Everything we know about Socrates is presented through works of Xenophon and Plato. However, those ideas which are considered to be Socratic are really great. Philosophical beliefs and ideas of Socrates are discussed today after almost two and a half centuries after his death. Rhetorical skills and effective speeches are quoted today by teachers of rhetoric and philosophers. Great modern speakers have started their career from acquaintance with Greek philosopher, Socrates. Furthermore, Socratic Method is widely used in many disciplines by skillful and talented educators, because this method is considered to be one of the most effective. Due to huge historical gap consisting of more than two thousand years and inability to access teachings of Socrates in original (only through Plato or other students), it is difficult to give him a judgment which this philosopher deserves. However, if that what is told and believed about him is true, he was truly a philosopher from capital P and great thinker of all times and nations. Great philosophers like Socrates provide great value to the cities and countries they live in, but, unfortunately, often their teachings and great thoughts are valued posthumously. Moreover, great philosophers represent through their wisdom a great value to the whole humanity. Sometimes, people who question philosopher’s teachings and ways of thinking often miss the main point. Surely, one does not have to necessarily agree with every world of a philosopher, but at least to try to understand and analyze it. Works Cited “Socrates”. Cristal Links. 2010. Web. 11 Feburary 2011. Benson, Hugh H. Socratic Wisdom: The Model of Knowledge in Platos Early Dialogues. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Colaiaco, James A., Socrates against Athens: Philosophy on Trial. Routledge, 2001. Harris, Roy & Taylor, Talbot J. The Western Tradition from Socrates to Saussure. London: Routledge, 1997. Morgan, Michael L., ed. Classics of Moral and Political Theory (4th ed.). Hackett, 2005. Read More