Socrates
Research by RKT
Quotes by Socrates
"I know that I know nothing"
"The unexamined life is not worth living"
"The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less."
It is the greatest good every day to discuss virtue . . . for life without enquiry is not worth living for a man. . . .”
(SP-20_HIS1313-WA01B Western Civilization to 1500 - A. Biles)I was asked to connect the past with today...
The question at hand is from the Book Sherman D, & Salisbury J (2014). The West in the world: a history of western civilization. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education
The topic - Socrates...
May the plethora of links and connections empower your mind to see history as a tool to learn from
Richard Kerry Thompson
I Know that I know nothing...
Indeed, do we speak the truth or go with the status quo?
These links are part of a research paper I discovered as I studied the question below from a course in Western Civilization at Rochester University in Michigan...
"The trial of Socrates has remained a reference point for discussions of freedom of speech and thought. How do you think his trial might apply to contemporary issues such as hate speech and political postings on Internet sites such as Facebook and YouTube? For what other present-day issues is Socrates’ trial relevant?"
May we all realize what we stand for or really know...
Richard Kerry Thompson
Life-Long Learner
"The unexamined life is not worth living"-Socrates
I have chosen to journey to the paradoxical phenomenon of Socrates' demise for this week's discussion question. As it is written on page 73, in the book The West in the World, Sherman, and Salisbury, 5/e, McGraw Hill, 2013, the questions at hand are the following...
* The trial of Socrates has remained a reference point for discussions of freedom of speech and thought.
* How do you think his trial might apply to contemporary issues such as hate speech and political postings on Internet sites such as Facebook and YouTube?
*For what other present-day issues is Socrates’ trial relevant?
I present to you the following…
The connection of freedom of speech and Socrates is indeed a link to all those that speak with knowledge, the authority of subject and most importantly and perhaps threatening to the common person's life of mediocrity is that of seeking truth and examination of one's self. This along with saying you claim to know nothing yet are the wisest person in the room because you claim to not be. This is the paradoxical challenge and indeed is what ultimately had him arrested and sentenced to death by poisoned hemlock.
It is the greatest good every day to discuss virtue . . . for life without inquiry is not worth living for a man. . . .” The Greek philosopher Socrates reputedly spoke these words, and they have become a famous articulation of the value of the spirit of inquiry. (Sheman and Salibury, 2013, Page 41)
The fact that Socrates actually undermined the way of life of his fellow Athenians was the real issue and even though the freedom of speech was encouraged and democracy was the banner of which was flown, the concept of making men relentlessly examining and questioning, themselves was unwelcomed, and new ideas were too much. Thus drummed up stories about corrupting the young and not worshipping the Gods of the city, sentenced him to death.
Socrates was the first person as a citizen to truly stretch the bounds of freedom of speech. He dared to resist.
This correlates brilliantly with the question of...
How do you think his trial might apply to contemporary issues such as hate speech and political postings on Internet sites such as Facebook and YouTube?
The link is that of being able to speak the truth, (or at least what a person thinks is the truth) and today with the saturation of the internet the freedom of speech is much more powerful globally because of the reality that no longer is a person a prisoner of geography. The information is instantly shared!
Thus, I think the way Socrates trial might apply to contemporary issues such as hate speech and political postings on the internet and social sites, is irrelevant, because as Socrates said... “I know that I know nothing.”
So what I am conveying to you the reader of this post, is that my insight is nothing to the little I really know, yet here are a few thoughts…
Indeed the gift that Socrates left beyond his death by trail, (that was measured by a water clock by the way. A water clock is a vessel of water with a hold in the bottom, dripping into another and when it is empty the time is up for any defense.) is that freedom of speech is just that, an opportunity to speak without being put to trial or losing your job for going against the status quo.
How does this relate, look at the 45th president who reigns in power and if someone goes against him, has anyone that did lose their job? Just an observation and my freedom of speech to say so. As I state that, I ask anyone reading this post to examine their own life to see if it is worth living and in seeking the truth to look inward and not judge others. So the correlation to Socrates and contemporary living is alive and well.
For what other present-day issues is Socrates’ trial relevant? It is beyond relevant and all humankind until the end of each person's time it will ring true…
Socrates speaks the truth against the state and indeed is condemned for it, yet if he apologized he may have been acquitted. Instead, he states… “An unexamined life is not worth living…”
My connection is then… I shall never stop my self-introspection and inquiry as I continue my journey called life. I have indeed spoken as Socrates did in 399 B.C.E. and have lost jobs, friends, family, income and yet never wavered, as I am in the good company of others knowing nothing. (Specifically Socrates)
What about you?
Richard
Below please find the references for the plethora of writings and youtube videos I studied to convey my thoughts above...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxr-rNdZUo
https://famous-trials.com/socrates
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Socrates/Background-of-the-trial
https://www.pbs.org/video/greeks-trial-socrates/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxr-rNdZUo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehT60zSk8tg
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/
https://www.smore.com/43qtc-socrates
The Gadfly of Athens
The Gadfly of Athens
The history of gadfly starts with gad, which now means "chisel" but which formerly could designate a spike, spear, or rod for goading cattle. Late in the 16th century, gad was joined with fly to designate any of several insects that aggravate livestock.
Before too long, we began applying gadfly to people who annoy or provoke others. One of history's most famous gadflies was the philosopher Socrates, who was known for his constant questioning of his fellow Athenians' ethics, misconceptions, and assumptions.
In his Apology, Plato describes Socrates' characterization of Athens as a large and sluggish horse and of Socrates himself as the fly that bites and rouses it. Many translations use gadfly in this portion of the Apology, and Socrates is sometimes referred to as the "gadfly of Athens."