The Last days of Socrates

The last days of Socrates written by Plato in 403 BC can be considered as an introduction to philosophy. To me, philosophy is an art of thinking. Philosophy deals with metaphysical (beyond physical world) concepts like Truth, Soul, virtues, holiness, morality, and many more. Mainly Philosophy can help deal with the problems of our life. It is like a tool that can make our lives healthy, and our minds strong. Moreover, it can also give the direction in our life. I’m started reading philosophy and this was the first book.

The book is in the form of dialogues between Socrates and others there are a total of four dialogues in the book. First, let’s talk about Socrates. Socrates lives in Athens in Greece. Socrates is known to be the first philosopher which laid the foundation, but his existence is debatable and still is because Socrates never wrote anything as he believed philosophy is not about sitting down and writing but engaging in conversations with others. He often goes to people who claimed themselves expert and questions them about their field and through this question and counter questioning he proves that the person doesn’t know as much as he thinks. Due to this people disliked him. But he continued his way of philosophy. He had many students and Plato was one of them and he writes this book as he hears his teacher’s conversations. But that is also debatable since Socrates didn’t write anything people think Plato imagined a character as Socrates and portrayed his own philosophy through the character.

The Euthyphro

This dialogue is between Socrates and Euthyphro and it's about holiness and piety. What is the just thing to do?  Euthyphro has decided to sue his father for the murder of the servant. The servant had already charged with the murder of another servant. So Euthyphro’s family criticizes him for his act. They think father did the right thing killing a murderer, but Euthyphro believes that murder is murder so it should be punished. Meanwhile, Socrates is charged with the allegation that he corrupts the youth’s mind and also for impiety against gods. Socrates was on the way to appear in the courthouse before his trial and met Euthyphro there. Their dialogues discuss what is holy act or pious act. The main idea can be in the question that Socrates asks. 

Is what is pious loved by the Gods because its pious, or is it pious because it is loved by God?

 

The Apology

This dialogue is between Socrates and the Athens judges during the Trial. Socrates defends against the charges laid by citizens, That he corrupts the youth and does not believe in gods that are believed by the city but believe in new divinities. In this dialogue, Socrates systematically explains the nature of the accusations laid by the current citizen and also the old accusations. The main theme of the dialogue is the philosophy of life. He explains what he does? And Why he does? After hearing the trail, citizens took a vote. And the result was against Socrates, He proposed alternate punishments but after another vote, the judgment was against Socrates. He will have to drink hemlock (poison).

The Crito

This dialogue is shorter than previous ones. This dialogue is between Socrates and Crito one of the students of Socrates. In Athens, there is custom for not doing any public executions during the entire journey of the ship to and from Delos. Crito is trying to persuade Socrates to escape from prison to another town. Socrates is ready to face punishment and argues that it will be against his own nature to escape from prison. Socrates had two options either to give up philosophy and live in Athens or to face the judgments. Socrates will not give up the philosophy and is ready to face the consequences.

The Phaedo

The Phaedo is set outside Athens, in Phlius in the Peloponnese, where Phaedo is a native of Elis and one of Socrates’ younger friends. In this dialogue, Phaedo narrates the last hours of Socrates to Echecrates and other citizens of Phlius. In this dialogue, Socrates argues about the immortality of the soul, and why philosophers should welcome death? And more according to Socrates true philosopher wants death. In this last dialogue, there are many themes portrayed, a short intellectual autobiography by Socrates, expositions on philosophical method, passing comments on the nature of pleasure and pain, or on the rights and wrongs of suicide. A variety of content, too, is matched by a variety of tone and style: there is laughter as well as sadness; dry argument alongside purple prose; moments of quick repartee beside longer exchanges; narrative and incident.

do you like philosophy? comment down your thoughts on the matter.