Socrates Rant Katie Byars
This book sounded to me like Socrates was complaining about the society around
him as well as the philosophers around him. He had a point to get across which he
reaches eventually, but knowing that he is a philosopher it seems to me like he
took the opportunity to rant a bit. He laments how “not one of today`s cities could
accommodate the philosophic nature.” And we know how Socrates ends up dying
by suicide after being convicted of corrupting the youth. Imagine what other difficult
ies he might have faced being a philosopher in that time period. He also goes on
to rant about other philosophers. And about how philosophy is mostly only studied
by people passing by to other jobs and people only willing to breach the surface
of philosophy.
him as well as the philosophers around him. He had a point to get across which he
reaches eventually, but knowing that he is a philosopher it seems to me like he
took the opportunity to rant a bit. He laments how “not one of today`s cities could
accommodate the philosophic nature.” And we know how Socrates ends up dying
by suicide after being convicted of corrupting the youth. Imagine what other difficult
ies he might have faced being a philosopher in that time period. He also goes on
to rant about other philosophers. And about how philosophy is mostly only studied
by people passing by to other jobs and people only willing to breach the surface
of philosophy.
He also seems to do is lift up himself and friends in the eyes of the reader. He
goes on talking about how rare it is to find these qualities in a person and that
these qualities make a good philosopher. Since he thinks he is qualified to tell
you how to make a perfect city then I assume that he believes himself to have
these qualities. I might be just misreading, but who wouldn`t want to rant about
how life is unfair, others are bad at what they do, and you are better when given
the chance?
goes on talking about how rare it is to find these qualities in a person and that
these qualities make a good philosopher. Since he thinks he is qualified to tell
you how to make a perfect city then I assume that he believes himself to have
these qualities. I might be just misreading, but who wouldn`t want to rant about
how life is unfair, others are bad at what they do, and you are better when given
the chance?
I commented on Kayla`s and Moriah`s posts.
I definitely agree that Socrates seemed frustrated at times throughout these books. He was not content with the state of society but had such a negative view that he may have missed the beautiful flaws that make us human. By seeking after a perfect society led by people who thought like he thought, did he assume that they were the most "correct" leaders in the "civilized" world? Love the thoughts you presented here!
ReplyDeleteA great society is proven to be led by truth and wisdom within a philosopher. Philosophers have had a negative effect within this because some more than others will preach opinion rather than truth. Only few remain worthy of being a philosopher which might allow a city to be corrupted in a way.
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting how much time he spent lamenting over the state of the cities of the time and not giving practical ideas on how to fix it. He also didn't involve himself in politics, which he gives a reason for, but doesn't do much to try and fix the problem. Maybe he sees him teaching others is the best he can do to fix the government but then he commits suicide because he felt he corrupted the youth. Maybe he felt convicted that he couldn't contribute to solving the problem?
ReplyDelete