Plato

Cami

I really, really liked the first ones we read—Apology and Crito. It helped to know from Aristophanes that lawyers were big in the land. It all makes sense—lawyers, politicians, philosophers, sophists—they are all about who can use words the best. And who can trick the public or their opponent into believing (or at least saying) what they believe. But Socrates seemed so different in these first two. I loved when he defended himself against sophistry by stating that the truth needs not embellishment. There IS a true correct opinion. He was a simple speaker, in some sense, and seemed to want to get to the bare truth of the matter at hand. I also loved how he seemed deeply religious, stating that he would obey God rather than man, although he followed the laws of the land (as we see by allowing himself to be killed rather than rescued—if we refuse the laws of the land, all is lost). I wrote at the end of Apology: He sounds like a prophet sentenced to death for preaching repentance. Truth will prevail. Death is not punishment. The Spirit cannot be denied.

Janice

How amazing that Plato (428-348 B.C.) started a school, the Academy, which continued for many centuries. And we still read and teach his ideas. As far as I could make out, I think Plato and his colleagues were trying to figure out things like what truth, virtue, wisdom, common sense, and goodness are, what civilized society should allow, what children should be taught, how to ensure a safe and good society. (Funny how our society doesn't seem to be so concerned with a lot of these things anymore.) They believed in God and gods, in other word, in a higher intelligence than mortal man which was responsible for and interested in their existence, and who they were somewhat accountable to. They also believed in the immortal soul being more valuable than the body, and in an afterlife. I have found it interesting to see what people thought before Christ came and answered a lot of their questions. And it's interesting that a lot of it sounds similar to some scriptures. These were the times, places, and people that were ripe for Christianity.

(addendum--after reading Republic) Let's just say they were "excellent people as far as their lights extend" 334. They really cared about making society a decent place where people could be free and safe to learn and grow. They understood a lot about human nature. They knew how tyrants are produed and what they are made of. They were seeking for truth. They faced reality. They sought to know what made a truly good man, inside and out. They were not "dazzled by the foolish applause of the world" 317. Like I always say, everyone should read it.


Julia

Socrates' goal was to teach young men to think clearly and act reasonably. he was accused of introducing new gods and currupting the youth. He is known for his adherence to his convictions and his fearlessness of consequences. The philosophy of his dialogues has remained for over 2000 years one of the greatest intellectual influences of the western world--amirable for literature as well as philosophy. He was more than 70 years old when he appeared in court. "I am that gadfly which God has given the state and all day long and in all places I am always fastening on you, arousing and persuading and re-provoking you." He said that the strong arm of that oppressive power did not frighten him into doing wrong (when he was a senator) "but I went quietly home." Was he referring to going to his Final Home? He said that he would never cease teaching philosophy about wisdom and truth and the greatest improvement of the soul.