Classical Wisdom Speaks Did Socrates Teach Morality?
Dec 19, 2024
Join Armand D’Angour, Massimo Pigliucci, Angie Hobbs, and Donald Robertson as they dive into the relevance of Socrates in today's world. They explore the complexity of Socratic thought versus its portrayals, emphasizing integrity and critical thinking. The discussion highlights the Socratic method's role in modern education, ethics, and psychotherapy. They ponder Socrates’ views on death and love, his personal responsibility doctrine, and his lasting legacy as a martyr of philosophy, revealing insights that challenge contemporary beliefs.
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Socrates' Existence and Character
- Socrates' existence is confirmed by independent records, including accounts by Plato and Xenophon.
- Plato's portrayal, likely the most accurate, reveals a complex, ironic figure.
Separating Socrates from Plato
- Plato's later works present Socrates as a character embodying Plato's own philosophy.
- Xenophon's non-philosophical background offers a different, potentially simpler, view of Socrates.
Socrates' Relevance to Modern Politics
- Socrates lived during the Peloponnesian War and witnessed Athens' political turmoil, including the rise of demagogues.
- His emphasis on dialogue and critical thinking mirrors concerns about social media's manipulative power today.
