... element of Socratic philosophy was the Socratic elenchus. Sometimes called the dialectic, the elenchus is a cross-examination with the intention of amending or improving the beliefs of Socrates' or conversational partner. Most of Plato's dialogues run like this: Socrates runs into someone, and somehow the topic of some specific virtue--for example, piety in the Euthyphro dialogue--comes up. Socrates asks for a definition of piety, ... , because it supports this view. As in any positive philosophy that proposes to answer important questions, at a certain level we find belief resting benea...

• Word Count: 2965
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... academy named Theaetetus. In Theaetetus, Plato's dialogue from 367 b.c., Theaetetus defined knowledge as "geometry, the craft of shoemaking, and carpentry." According to Socrates, such a definition would be unacceptable because it is a mere list and because the craft of shoemaking can be defined as "knowing how to make shoes." (D.J. O"Connor, 1964) Socrates also intensely questioned many "accepted" definitions and dismissed ... filled with cowardice and pain. Socrates countered this by stating the obvious that the lowliest thief and the most magnificent king feel pleasure and pain in ro...

• Word Count: 3385
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... asked simple questions that challenged the original definite claim his counterpart claimed. Using reason, Socrates could infer truths and undermine any statement. This method of questioning searched for definitions of "universal truths" and turned philosophy from the study of how actions are viewed by the majority into how our mind's preconceived notions affect our views on right and wrong. Rather than asking, ... castles and Ionic temples didn't contain doors to knock on. Walking into a room without an announcement wasn't considered in bad taste in 5th Century B.C. It depends on societ...

• Word Count: 8371
• Approx Pages: 33
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... articulation within his dialogues conveying theories. Some accredit Plato with the invention of philosophy, while A. N. Whitehead concluded, 'The safest general characterisation of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.'2 Here arises the discussion into how extensive this influence has been on religious philosophy. During the time of Plato in Ancient Greece, religion was irrationally theorised to account for acts ... contest the Divine command theory and question whether there are any spiritual intentions of a creator at all. The...

• Word Count: 2979
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... as you would have had me so and live." (Gould, p.31.) This statement is one of many auguments. This feeling can very well be the definition of how he felt about his love for philosophy. To die for what he believes in no matter what obstacles came his way saves him from ... living with the shame of going against his beliefs. This feeling about living without shame is also found in Socrates statenment that compares himself to the life of Achilles. Of ... he was helping the society, that raised him, grow together as a whole. Thus opening the minds of Atheans to see what so many of them ha...

• Word Count: 2519
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... external reality, that there were universal truths and universal laws that human involvement was not necessary for reality to exist. Believers in PHYSIS said that there was one truth, one definition of what it means to be just or beautiful, and that these one truth and standards existed in the world and were just waiting to be discovered by humans. In other ... conversations (piety, virtue, beauty, courage, etc.). To some extent, Socrates is adopting a pose in order to get the dialectic rolling -- to prompt his interlocutor to propose a definition of virtue, piety, etc. But on the other...

• Word Count: 3636
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... actions are determined by prior causes, if I give Chrysippus this point, I am still not convinced that his argument justifies moral responsibility for our actions. His definition of what is in our power is what comes about through us, and I would agree that we are responsible for what comes about through us. But this is a different responsibility than ... could reason between right and wrong and choose appropriately. There would be no point to reason if not to be able to make choices between complex options. Though I like much of Stoic philosophy, this commitment to causality takes Chr...

• Word Count: 2938
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School