Philosophy

Philosophy
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Philosophy
Use the Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo and the Republic to develop an extended summary of Socratic ethics. This summary should include, among other things, a discussion his views on virtue, right and wrong actions, the polis and its laws, the role of philosophy. Also, consider the ethical relevance, if any, of his philosophical method.
Euthyphro
According to Altman (2010), Plato’s dialog Euthyphro is about a discussion that Socrates had with Euthyphro, a man who was reputed to being wise. The discussion was on piety; that virtue is seen as a manner of living, which fulfills an individual’s duty to humanity and to the gods. The issue on the virtue of piety is of more interest as Socrates is accused of impiety and is about to stand trial in Athens to determine his innocence. On the other hand, Euthyphro is taking his father to court over murder charges. With his father’s command, a man had been bound then thrown into a ditch for killing a domestic servant. He later died due to exposure and hunger, and Euthyphro believed his father was responsible for his death. Altman (2010) continues that Socrates engaged Euthyphro regarding the meaning of piety, who gave several unsatisfactory answers. As they started the discussion, Socrates wanted to know from Euthyphro the meaning of piety, who answered that it is acting as he was acting in taking to court someone who has done wrong, even though he was a family member. Socrates agreed with him that personal relationships should never be allowed to prevent one from performing his duty; however, he still was not satisfied with the answer because an example of virtue of piety did not equal its definition according to him. He asked him once more the meaning of piety so as to know if the charge Meletus was bringing against him was logical. His answer was that piety is what pleased the gods while impiety is that which does not. Socrates was still unconvinced because it was unclear what makes something pleasing to the gods and if it can be pleasing to all, not some of them. Euthyphro further adds that piety is that which is pleasing to all gods, giving an example that they all agree murder is wrong. Socrates on the other hand argues that the motive and circumstances in which the killing occurred makes a significant difference concerning the moral quality of the act. Plato pointed out that the two did not agree about the nature of the virtue of piety.
In Euthyphro, Socrates states that the role of philosophy is to question the answers asked and not to answer the questions, and that is what he was doing with regard to Euthyphro and the meaning of the virtue of piety. Socrates as a philosopher was using dialectic technique in engaging Euthyphro that is pointing out the inconsistencies, as well as contradictions in statements made without proper thought (Altman, 2010). He is accused of teaching false doctrines hence corrupting the Athenian youth. Socrates argues that he was not trying to indoctrinate any person, but was trying to make people to think for themselves. According to Socrates, clear and accurate thinking exposes errors that popular conceptions are based, and that was why Meletus was bringing charges against him. Under the then laws of Athens, what Euthyphro’s father had done was justified, and he could therefore, not be punished. Socrates’ view on piety is that of giving and receiving, in which people pray and sacrifice to the gods who will in turn extend beneficial rewards to them, for instance higher crop yields.
Apology
According to Goldman (2004) concerning the Apology dialog, Socrates offers an apology for the informal style in which he will be making his defense. At the court, Socrates is accused by Meletus and Anytus among others of being an evildoer by corrupting the youth and does not believe in the gods instead introduced his own deities. To defend himself, he asks Meletus some questions that make him contradict himself. Meletus had contradicted himself by accusing Socrates of introducing new divinities and again of being an atheist who does not believe in any god. On other matters relating to his trial, he is asked if he should continue with a way of life that could result in his demise and he answered that he did not fear death. Socrates pointed out that one should not be concerned about living or dying rather if his actions are right or wrong. He added that a philosopher’s duty in life is in response to God’s command to search into himself and other men and going against this command to save his own life would be dishonorable (Goldman, 2004). Plato points out that many people Socrates had associated with years ago were now in a position to understand if Socrates had corrupted them. Some of them were his dedicated friends, and loyal supporters and this further emphasize that he was not guilty because if he were, these people would have brought charges that he corrupted them.
Socrates does not bring in his family members to plead on his behalf as some people had been doing. He states that for one to be acquitted it is wrong to petition a judge, and instead one has to convince him. He adds that it is the judge’s duty to give lawful judgment, not judgment based on feelings and that God’s laws must be obeyed first, before those of man. The judges found Socrates guilty of the charges brought against him and was sentenced a death penalty. According to the customary laws of Athens, a prisoner condemned to death might propose a substitute sentence for instance paying a fine or being banished from the city, and if approved by a majority of the judges, it would be accepted. He never chose any alternative. Socrates had followed a course of virtue, and he even wanted that for his children. At the end of the Apology dialog, Socrates stated that it is far much better to endure injustice rather than to practice it, and one should dread most about what happens to the soul rather than the body (Goldman, 2004).
Crito
According to Steadman (2006), Crito is about the conversations Socrates had with Crito, an Athenian inmate and devoted friend of Socrates. Socrates was in prison awaiting his death sentence. He had opportunities to escape from prison and save his life, but refused to exploit them. Socrates’ capital punishment had been delayed by one month because no execution was allowed in the polis until a particular ship had returned from an island called Delos. Crito urged Socrates to escape from prison so that he does not only lose a close comrade, but also so that many people do not condemn him for havin...