The Story and Analysis of Plato's Apology - Assignment Example

First Last Number 15 September Philosophy QUESTION 2 Philosophy is a particular domain of study that primarilydeals with gaining general and fundamental comprehension regarding the prevailing issues and problems amid humans. The problems or issues that are studied under the subject of philosophy relates to reality, knowledge and consciousness of human minds among others. It must be mentioned that different philosophers have ideas and views regarding one common subject matter and the same is apparent for most of the subjects. In this regard, it can be depicted that different people have different thought process and behavioral implications, which further influences the philosophical thinking of an individual one way or the other. The term philosophy is a Greek word, which is widely prevalent in various sectors in the present day societal context. The concept of philosophy is further divided or segregated into various sub fields, which includes epistemology, logic and ethics among others. Each of the mentioned areas of philosophy has their own significance with regard to human thinking and behavior (Durant 20-35). Philosophy is a wide subject area that has various sub-domains and fields. In this regard, some of the most vital fields of philosophy would be crucial to discuss. It has been comprehended that philosophy is divided into three parts, which includes Axiology, Epistemology and Ontology. It must also be mentioned that each of these fields are further segregated under various groups, which further enhance the wideness of the subject matter. Axiology deals with the study of comprehending human value through understanding their thinking or thought process. In precise, the field of Axiology can be regarded as the approach of philosophers towards understanding value or nature of value for any particular theory relevant to goods and services. Axiology is associated with certain specific aspects while analyzing, which comprise the structure of the value to be comprehended, the criteria for evaluating the value along with the status of the value among others. Axiology in philosophy is further segregated into two different parts including ethics and aesthetics. Ethics deals with evaluation of human study on the basis of their moral practices. On the other hand, aesthetics deals with studying human behavior and values on the basis of their feelings and emotions. In similar regard, epistemology is a particular domain of study that deals with the analysis of knowledge to comprehend human behavior. It is a particular method of philosophy where human knowledge is evaluated on the basis of their structure and way of thinking (Webmaster at Philosophy, “Divisions of Philosophy”). The concept also describes that different people have different ways of thinking about a particular aspect, which is universally accepted. Epistemology is adopted and executed on the basis of hypothesis. Ontology is the third sort of domain in philosophical studies. This particular concept of philosophy deals with understanding, evaluating and comprehending reality in a widespread manner. The study is based on facts and logic rather than assumptions. It is one of the most important parts within the domain of philosophical studies conducted by philosophers in the past and modern era (Webmaster at Philosophy, “Divisions of Philosophy”). In each of the fields, there are certain specific questions that are being asked to the people by the philosophers to reach a potential conclusion. Since, it intends to understand the aspect of value for any particular subject; some questions asked in this context can be developed. Notably, this particular field of psychology usually adds resounding adjectives to the questions asked. For example in such fields, the questions asked to the people include “She is a good human being” and “the knife is quite good”. With this particular approach, one can easily increase the value of a particular aspect. In similar regard, it can also be depicted that epistemology has certain specific questions that are being extensively asked. Since the approach seeks to understand topics with the help of present and past knowledge, the influence of the same can also be apparent in the questions asked to people (Webmaster at Philosophy, “Divisions of Philosophy”). The philosophical aspects depicted within this study in three different philosophical areas can also be linked with the teachings of Socrates in Apology. Socrates is one of the notable named in the field of philosophy that the world has ever witnessed. He was closely associated with teachings relevant to the lives of individuals. In both the studies of Apology and Crito, Socrates had tried to relate the various forms of studies under different domains of philosophy. In both the studies, Socrates clearly defined the aspects that truth and wisdom goes hand in hand and as a philosopher, he is a stern believer of the same. Socrates also depicted that in the domain of philosophy, people can consider a particular aspect as truth irrespective of its presence in reality. In this context, the studies of Socrates can be considered as relevant (Webmaster at Philosophy, “Divisions of Philosophy”). Correspondingly, Socrates depicted that the highest form in which a particular person can learn is by asking questions to one’s own self. Again, in a similar context, Socrates also defined that the secret of an individual to be happy is by understanding their own capacity or the level of competence to be happy. Apart from that, Socrates also believed that people should evaluate their eating habit towards a better and healthy life (Carnegie Mellon University, “Analysis of Platos Apology”). QUESTION 6 Crito is a particular dialogue in Ancient Greece penned by Plato. The study involves an elaborative discussion amid Socrates and his rich friend Crito that deals with the topic of justice and ethics. Notably, Crito and Socrates are widely known philosophers from history. Their contribution in this domain of study is deemed to be quite significant in nature. They were involved in ensuring highest level of development in the philosophical fields. However at the same, it has been learnt that the argument coined by Crito were further criticized by Socrates within his arguments. The understanding of Crito with regard to philosophy was mainly seen with moral and ethics. The study or arguments of Crito was focused towards understanding the difference between right and wrong and how one can make use of the same to ensure ethical decision making in every sphere of life (Spark Notes, “Summary”). The study of Crito deals with social contract theory that prevails in the present day philosophical context in an extensive manner altogether. It has been learnt that the dialogue that has been taken place while Socrates was in prison involves two participants including Socrates and Crito. The study described that both the participants became friend in the process of being in the same cell. Notably, during their stay in the prison, Socrates was awaiting his execution by the concerned prison authority. However, as a friend, Crito tried to persuade Socrates to escape from the prison with his endless arguments. For each of the arguments presented by Crito, Socrates provided a counter argument. Crito had the ethical perception that doing nothing to save his friend in the last moment will not make him a better person indeed (Spark Notes, “Summary”). Crito argued within the discussion that Socrates should not think much about what the expense of his escape from the prison to his friend, since through his argument; Crito assured a better life for Socrates in the outside world. Subsequently, Crito presented few more influencing facts for Socrates to change his mind on an ethical level altogether. The first argument that has been provided by Crito in this regard is about the joy of Socrates’s enemies after his death. In this context, Crito apparently depicted that if Socrates is unjustly killed within the prison by his enemies, then on an ethical level it would not be a joyous aspect for his supporters or followers (Spark Notes, “Summary”). This has been one of the strongest arguments presented by Crito within the discussion. Subsequently, Crito also stated to Socrates that with his death within the prison, it will leave his children and family members alone in this cruel world, which can be regarded as quite unjust to an extent. This aspect further depicts the emotional attempt of Crito to persuade his friend Socrates within the prison. For these arguments made by Crito, Socrates has his own view points. Correspondingly, Socrates depicted that he or any other person should not think much about criticisms or what others think of any particular aspect. Socrates further affirmed that public opinion is something that is not universally accepted as a generalizable fact (Spark Notes, “Summary”). In a similar context, Socrates also depicted that though people should ignore public opinion, but at the same time, they should considered wise, noble and effective advice. Furthermore, Socrates depicted that one’s reputation should not be calculated against his/her self-esteem. It is the destiny of humans that can decide their fate, not others. Socrates further claimed that self-esteem could not be attained by escaping from the prison cell; rather his well behavior shall ensure positive results at large. Correspondingly, Socrates also hold the belief that it is quite hard to determine his ethicality for escaping from the prison, as there exists varied aspects that needs to be evaluated in this context. Hence, it will be quite tough to determine or have a decision of whether to escape from the cell or not (Spark Notes, “Summary”). These arguments presented by Socrates provided extreme contradictory viewpoints relevant to the claims and understandings of Crito. Socrates further asked Crito that if it is justified to escape from the prison with him, Socrates will do the same. However, in case if the scenario is reverse, then it would be quite tough for Socrates to move out of the prison and hence, he will rather prefer to live and face the consequences, which is probably death for Socrates. Therefore, the argument of Socrates against the claims of Crito during the discussion is indeed quite apparent (Spark Notes, “Summary”). QUESTION 7 There were certain charges that were made against Socrates within the study or discussion of Plato. The Apology is a particular work penned by Plato with the intention to redesign and present the work conducted by Socrates in his own version. The work mainly deals with the charges made against Socrates with regard to corruption of the young generation and people’s non-belief towards the existence of God among others (Carnegie Mellon University, “Analysis of Platos Apology”). The meaning of Apology primarily lies in the aspect that people should defend the belief or actions of others to have a better positioning for themselves within the society. The Apology highlighted the fact regarding the viewpoints of Socrates with regard to the people who accuse them. Within the study, it was clearly mentioned by Socrates that he is not aware whether the people in Athens persuaded by his accusers. The core idea that has been dealt within the work of Apology relates to the aspect of sincerity involved in the modern day philosophy. It has been clearly defined within the study that ignorance of reality is not the best approach in the domain of philosophy. In this regard, the facts presented in Apology clearly defined that whatever is known to Socrates as a philosopher is largely owing to the aspect that he always has the approach of knowing nothing, since he seeks to keep on learning every time. All through his life, Socrates intends to influence people to judge him by his truth rather than evaluating him on the basis of his skills. This approach of his has also been quite apparent within the study of Apology penned by Plato (MU, “Apology/ Plato”). There were certain specific arguments made against Socrates in the study of Apology by Plato. It has been comprehended from the study that Socrates was just a natural philosopher who lacked understanding in the domain of realistic knowledge. The charges were mainly made with regard to the sense of Study and approach of Socrates towards the subject of Philosophy. He was accused of being a natural philosopher owing to the aspect that his studies were primarily inclined towards understanding facts relevant to God and the nature. This aspect has little sense to make in the realistic field of philosophy. In a similar context, it was also argued that Socrates makes an argument, which is worse and has little significance in terms of strong argument (MU, “Apology/ Plato”). In this context, he uses his skills of oratory to bestow strength in a particular argument, which further impacts the aspects of reality of a particular argument in a considerable manner altogether. It has also been noted that Socrates was charged for being a philosopher who is involved in corrupting the young generation with his perceived ideas at large. It has been comprehended that Socrates was accused of being a philosopher who was not a believer of God, which further depicts a nature of biasness in his ideas and approaches. In order to counteract against the criticism made by Plato in Apology against Socrates, the latter emerge with certain specific arguments, which would be vital to discuss (MU, “Apology/ Plato”). Socrates made it clear within the study that knowledge is a particular aspect that is true and logical in any case irrespective of whether it is actually true or false in the real scenario. In this context, it is notable that in philosophy any assumptions can be considered as appropriate and right to a considerable manner irrespective of the actual reality. As presented in Apology, during his trial in front of the judge, he clearly persuaded the jury or the judge to evaluate him of the basis of his truth and sincerity; rather than taking into consideration his knowledge skills and abilities as a philosopher. During his trial within the court of law, Socrates also determined that his approach is not used carefully in crafted phrases and sentences; rather his approach of speaking will include expressing whatever he thinks in general. It has been learnt that Socrates as a man holds utmost sincerity and was quite persuasive in nature, which further made him a wise person to deal with. Correspondingly, it can be depicted that within the arguments of Apology, Socrates clearly and firmly sticks to his perception of speaking truth with utmost courage and wisdom (MU, “Apology/ Plato”). From the overall analysis of the study, several key aspects relevant to the subject matter can be taken into consideration to attain the objective of the study in a comprehensive manner altogether. Notably, philosophy is a particular subject of study that has its roots deeply embedded in the historical days. It is a particular subject that holds extensive debate among experts in the field of philosophy. Correspondingly, it can be depicted that the subject of philosophy has been segregated in various different parts. Some of the different sections of philosophy include Axiology, Epistemology and Ontology among others. Each of them has its own significance. The study has focused on understanding the arguments made within the study of Plato’s Apology. For each of the arguments presented within Plato’s study, Socrates has its own counter argument, which has been presented apparently (MU, “Apology/ Plato”). Works Cited Carnegie Mellon University. “Analysis of Platos Apology”, 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Durant, Will. The Story of Philosophy. US: Simon and Schuster, 1991. Print. MU. “Apology/ Plato”, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Spark Notes. “Summary”, 2015. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Webmaster at Philosophy. “Divisions of Philosophy”, 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Read More