| Chapter 13 Socrates Story II In the chapters that follow to the end of this part, I shall cite the ancient philosophers from the Classics Club collection by Walter J. Black, Roslyn, New York, copyright 1942. Socrates story is told in this collection in the first part of Plato, and is fairly pure Socrates to start, but the words charged to Socrates become more and more Platonic as you progress through the book, until We reach Republic which is pure Plato. Plato, who was one of Socrates students, had Socrates making the statements in his writings. I don't know if that was pure style or partly from self interest, an attempt to make unpopular statements, without carrying the responsibility for those statements. Some twenty four hundred and fifty years ago there were two forces in that part of the world. One faction, a trading democracy, depended on a strong sea force, and an empire of like colonies, with to varying degrees, subject states throughout neighboring seas. This proud democratic society, was Athens. The other faction was controlled by an inland, aristocracy that was military in nature, who conquered considerable land around them, and formed an alliance with those around them who feared democracy, and their imperialism. This military aristocracy, like a bull dog, tough and tenacious, was very conservative. Hardened warriors, they spurned wealth, trade, luxury, and refinements for an austere life. This aristocracy resided in Sparta. The Athenians were extremely proud of their liberty, their literature, drama music and art, with much freedom for thought and speculation. They appear to have been very cosmopolitan. They were, also, very strict in observing their duties to the gods of their fathers, Athene, Dionysus, Demeter, Apollo, and of course Zeus. In 431 B. C. Athens and Sparta went to war over control of sea routes to Sicily and south Italy. These sea routes had been controlled by Sparta's ally Corinth, but Athens wanted to expand her empire with western grain and metals. 91 _______________________________________________________________________________ This war, the Peloponnesian War, lasted until 404 B. C., when the Spartans won, and set up a pro Spartan, aristocratic group of Athenians, called the Thirty. The Thirty controlled Athens for only a short while, and were replaced by a democracy within a year. During this time, teachers called Sophists, were teaching the young Athenian men in the arts of politics, public speaking and debate. Just as in our day, these teachers had beliefs that ranged from ultra conservative to ultra liberal, from the belief in patriotism and fair dealing to a belief that right and wrong, and truth and falsehood were artificial conventions in place to control society. The one thing they all seemed in agreement on was that men by nature were extremely hungry for money, pleasure, and fame, and would use foul or fair means to get them, whatever it took. Most of the Athenians thought these teachings were horrifying and blasphemous to their gods. Central in this group, called Sophists, was a man called Socrates ( 469-399 B. C. ), a stonecutter, who said he was not a Sophist. Socrates was not paid for teaching, nor did he have a classroom. He wandered through Athens talking with whoever would listen. He cared not where, whether at the market place, in the streets, the gymnasium, or in a friend's house. He cared little for scientific discussions and stuck mainly to discussions on how man could make the best out of living. Socrates believed that straight thinking would lead to right living. In a word that man could attain righteousness by his own devices. Socrates left no written word behind, so his devoted followers, such as Plato, put his words into writings. Only by looking at some of these writings can we begin to see what Socrates believed. In 'Apology' we see Meletus giving testimony against Socrates, with Socrates cross examining him. We pick the discussion up where Socrates makes Meletus pin point his accusation that Socrates is an atheist. "Socrates: And when you accuse me of corrupting and deteriorating the youth, do you allege that I corrupt them intentionally or unintentionally? Meletus: Intentionally, I say. 92 ________________________________________________________________________________ |
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