i need to know what is the main theme, and where you got it from. Serious answers please.
2006-08-14 19:45:15 · 10 answers · asked by pharos91 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
just so everyone knows, i did read, but i didnt fully understand it. i'm a sophmore in high school, sue me.
2006-08-15 05:17:43 · update #1
I dug up my old college notes for your question because it gave me an excuse to get nostalgic about Plato. Anyhow. I am just going to pour my notes out to ya - not summarize them so that they flow freshly from the mouth of my Professor to your mind.
MAIN THEME: the philosopher must have supreme happiness at the moment of his death. Death equals freedom.
Socrates introduces dualism: body/flesh, mind/soul. He believed that his mind/body were the best part of him. His soul/flesh were a prison cell.
Hope this helps. I'm jealous that you are freshly learning about this material. My mind has never been as satisfied as it was when I first explored Plato. I have plenty more notes, just didn't want to weigh ya down.
2006-08-14 20:09:19 · answer #1 · answered by me. 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The trial and death of Socrates is in Plato's 'Phaedo.' He basically lays down that there are absolute right and wrongs disagreeing with the Sophist view of subjectivity. He also explains that there is no reason to fear death, to think of death as evil. Things that are unknown should not be feared. So after Socrates is sentenced to death for 'corrupting the youth' (for making them question traditional beliefs) he willing drinks the hemlock knowing that he will either cease to exist or be able to question others in the afterlife. For me, the main theme is freedom of speech. Socrates, in Plato's eyes, believes that we should examine the life we live and determine whether it is the best for us. In doing so, one must question the way in which we were taught to live and if it is not the good life, we should strive to find a better way. For this to happen some must speak up and say what is wrong with the current situation. This is what Socrates was put on trial and sentenced to death for, convincing the youth of his time to question authority. Naturally, this did not sit well with those who were in power who wanted to restrict the freedom of thought and speech.
2006-08-14 20:09:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean "Apology of Socrates"? In my country we have it published together with Crito and Phaedo. It is about trial, how he was convicted and how he explains it, why he accepted it that way. You really should read it because it is not very big book and you will best understand it if you read it yourself. In Apology you will learn everything about the trial and in Phaedo about his last day in prison, before he drink his poison. Socrates is considered to be kee figure in greek philosophy, after him started a new period, where man will be put in the center of thinking, and his consciousness. His philosophy was opposed to sophistic. Socrates was often compared to Jesus, their life and death, and consequences. I could talk about Socrates, my favorite philosopher, much more, but the best for you is to read it yourself.
2006-08-14 21:13:23 · answer #3 · answered by Jelena L. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummm, the central theme of Plato's "The Trial and Death of Socreates" is the trial and death of Socrates. :P
2006-08-14 20:03:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read it a few years ago. It was basically talking of how Socrates was not afraid to die because he was not interested in material things (such as the Earth). He was sentenced to death bc he was teaching kids things that the elderly did not approve of.
2006-08-14 19:54:34 · answer #5 · answered by PlasticTrees 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to www.philosophyprofessor.com and find it and print and get it binded if you are not able to get it from net.
Euthyphro, exploring the concepts and aims of piety and religion; Apology,
a defense of the integrity of Socrates’ teachings; Crito,
exploring Socrates’ refusal to flee his death sentence; and Phaedo, in which Socrates embraces death and discusses the immortality of the soul.
2006-08-14 19:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Synopsis.... DON'T ASK SO MANY QUESTIONS.
He had to drink some nice, fresh Hemlock... because, back then, they didn't have Kool Aid
2006-08-22 05:52:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nope, sorry
2006-08-22 08:07:26 · answer #8 · answered by italian.chick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
uh oh... someone forgot to do their homework!!! (sorry I just couldn't help myself!)
2006-08-14 19:53:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
your mom
2006-08-22 06:17:28 · answer #10 · answered by Yogaflame 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋