Important People of History Essay

Ancient Greece was cognise for many things, including expectant thinkers and philosophers. Many names come to mind from this period, including that of Socrates. Certainly, none are so colorful. He wrote nonhing, but his impact was unmatched by others. His ideas were revolutionary, and caused enough competition that he was fin tot solelyyy put on trial in Athens, guaranteeing that his kisser on history would be indelible. Socrates was born in 469 B. C. E. to Sophroniscus and Phaenarete. Little is cognise about him beyond what others wrote, since he resisted any urges to put words on paper.What is known about him comes from Aristophanes, Xenophon, and Plato, all of whom wrote about him. However, their narratives differ in some(a) crucial ways, and so there are some things that will neer be known about the enigmatic philosopher. Socrates was a firm worshipper in the power of the intellect. He insisted that a man must roam his life by the guidance of his own intellect, believing that it was this above all that must be cultivated. He neer hesitated in saying what he believed, and this t obliterateency made him unpopular in many circles.However, he did not allow this to deter him from expressing these beliefs. Knowledge and truth were paramount to him, and he would not sacrifice these virtues for anything. When he was eighteen, Socrates was required to do the duty of every citizen, and this include training in the Athenian militia. He served the years that were expected of him, salty in battle in 432 as a foot pass to help put down a revolt. On the way kin from the siege that followed, Socrates saved the life of Alcibiades during a subsequent battle skinny Spartolus, losing the battle.They returned to Athens in 429, where he was accuse of helping the playwright Euripides to write his tragedies. Important People of invoice paginate 2 of 5 Socrates abutting saw battle at Delium in 424. The Athenians saw defeat just in one case again, although Socrat es distinguished himself once more. In other year, he was yet again immersed in battle, this time at Amphipolis. This ended in another defeat, and was also the last battle that Socrates fought. Peace was made between Athens and Sparta, and this is when Socrates could bug out to concentrate in earnest on debates and discussions to pass on his ideas and beliefs.Education, democracy, and riddle religion were key themes in this. During this time, Socrates married Xanthippe, and they would have two sons. Socrates possibly became best known for the Socratic Method. This method was meant to help intellectuals come to lay out conclusions, and it made definition the most essential point of this. In a desire to find the truth, Socrates believed that one must require a banner of truth and an explanation of the causes of error. The comparison of two ideas is necessary in reservation a judgment, and those ideas must be clear and not vague.This method lasted end-to-end the centuries, and is still practiced today. Socrates is also known as the founder of usefulism. morality and the process of applying his methods to them was a key interest of his, and this study led to utilitarian ideas. With this, he came to the conclusion that good is useful and virtue is happiness. This formed the hollow out of his paradox, which is that men do not willingly commit wrongs, and that this is done but through ignorance. While Socrates wrote nothing, he spent a great comprehend of his life conversing with others.This was a major part of his Socratic method. He neer attempted to teach, for he believed that he had no knowledge. He professed that he was alone exceptional in the fact Important People of recital Page 3 of 5 that he knew that he knew nothing. It was a goal of his to fold that popular ideas were inconsistent, and he wished to convince all to whom he spoke that their convictions could not stand up under examination. Socrates was well known for frequenting places su ch as marketplaces, where he would engage people in conversation.He enjoyed doing this with people of all ranks and stations, often putting off important people and gaining their animosity. His manner and privation of deference gained him many enemies many resenting what they matt-up were his ridicule. There was nothing that Socrates felt was too sacred to question and criticize, and this included both religion and government. He was perhaps more agnostic than anything, and he had no compunctions about inquiring and criticizing the gods. This added to feelings of animosity against him, as did the fact that he was also quite blunt against the ruling powers.It was this that was to lead to his arrest and subsequent trial, which is perhaps the pinnacle of his career. Socrates was arrested when he was seventy on charges that he does not believe in the gods recognised by the city, but introduces strange supernatural beings he is also guilty consciencey, because he corrupts the youth. The political reasons were kept quiet, rather focusing on impiety, and the sentence proposed was that of expiry, although those who accused him had no real desire to put him to death, only to force him to leave and no longer be a thorn in their sides.However, Socrates refused to leave, instead remaining behind to face the charges against him. A life away from his interactions with the Athenians would not have suited him, and so he remained. Important People of History Page 4 of 5 Socrates faced a jury of 501 men. This jury, as all Athenian juries, would vote twice. Their first vote was on guilt or innocence, and their second vote was for the sentence. While Socrates expected that he would be convicted, he expressed surprise at how closely the jury was change integrity on the first and basic question. It was a difference of six percent that would have turned the tide, acquitting him. Socrates had the chance to avoid a sentence of death once the verdict came in. It was a practic e of the Athenian law placement to allow the defendant to put forth another punishment, and the jury would bring between the two. However, the punishment that Socrates suggested was merely a small fine, which was so lower-case letter a punishment that the jury had little choice but to condemn him to death. It was not for thirty days after his trial that Socrates would meet his end.During that time, his friend Crito appealed to him to escape, but Socrates believed that the deterioration that would come from that would be a greater harm to the city than to allow himself to follow through with the sentence, and that it would have brought shame on his family and friends. Socrates did not seem to fear his death. In fact, on the day upon which he was scheduled to die, he seemed quite happy and pleasant. Death was perhaps another opportunity for him to learn and experience. He was also not alone when the end came, as his wife and younger son, as well as friends, were present.He spent his last day doing what he loved best, discussing doctrine and once more passing on his wisdom. Xanthippe was taken home before his unquestionable death took place, leaving him with his Important People of History Page 5 of 5 friends and advising them to agree if they believed what he said was truth, and to oppose it if they did not, refusing to restrain themselves. To the end, he was determined to hold onto his ideals and beliefs, and insisted on others doing so as well. After cleanse and then meeting with his family once more, he met with his executioners. He was given a glass of hemlock after having its effects explained to him.After this formality, he cheerfully took the cup and drank. Thus ended the life of one of the most intelligent leaders of philosophy. Socrates, through all of his life, lived up to the ideals and beliefs that he taught. He never compromised these, even up to the day that he died. To him, the importance of remaining straight to himself and his teachin gs was paramount, and to do otherwise would be an injustice. He did not simply let out and hope that others learned from him he lived by example and died by the same. His legacy proved to be quite enduring, and is still a cornerstone of philosophy to this day.His students, such as Plato, helped to preserve this and pass it on. Without Plato and others, little would be known today of Socrates. The impression he made was a lasting one, and a good example even today, encouraging people not to be afraid to question and discuss, because without these things, learning cannot be successful.Works Cited Bury, J. B. and Russell Meiggs. A History of Greece. London Macmillan Education LTD, 1975. Nails, Debra. Socrates. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 16 Sept. 2005. <http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/socrates/>. Stone, I. F. The Trial of Socrates. New York Doubleday, 1989.