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Section 4, Socrates
Socrates
Lived from 470-399 before Christ. He was rather mysterious. Born in Athens. They say he
was ugly and small. But inside he was absolutely righteous.
The philosophical movement he belonged to is called sophism. Their point of view was:
although we can’t find answers to all the mysteries of nature, we know for sure that we
people, we have to be able to live together. Protagoras said: “Of all things, the measure is
Man” (De mens is de maat van alle dingen). In the new democracy of Athens, the sophists
saw it as their task to teach people, so they were able to participate the democracy. If you
participate democracy you have to know what is important to you and your fellow human
beings. You have to know how to make democratic decisions.
Socrates wandered on the streets and markets of Athens talking to people. He didn’t want to
teach people but he wanted to learn from them. Important for him was to talk to people.
While talking to someone, at first, he asked questions. He acted as if he was ignorant. During
the dialogue he tried to point out the weak spots in peoples reasoning. The discussion
partner got stuck and realised he was wrong.
If Socrates discussed with someone, people gathered around them. So, everyone could see
and hear you were wrong. So, everyone was present when Socrates ridiculed someone.
Being ridiculed was how people felt it, but it was not Socrates’ intention.
Socrates did this because he saw it as his task to help people to see the light. It was his
conviction that if all people would use their brain, they could understand the philosophical
truth. If people would use their brain, they could learn wisdom.
Doing as if he was ignorant while discussing to people, Socrates forced people to use their
brain. Doing as if you are ignorant is nowadays called: “Socratic irony”.
At the end Socrates was seen as being unpleasant and annoying. Especially the rulers, the
leaders saw him like that. Socrates once said: “Athens is as a slow horse, and I’m the horsefly
who is trying to wake it up and trying to keep it alive”. Quite a shock for the leaders, because
it was their task to take care of Athens.
As explained before, it wasn’t Socrates’ intention to teas people. There was something inside
him that let him no option. He explained this as if there was a divine voice inside him that
told him to discuss with people. Socrates protested against death penalties and he refused
to report political opponents. As a good citizen of Athens, you were supposed to do so.
Following his mission in life became his death. He himself got a death penalty. He was
charged for ‘introducing new gods’ and ‘misleading youngsters’. At his trial was a jury of 500
members and he was found guilty with a narrow majority. He could have appealed for mercy
or he could have fled and live in exile. But he didn’t appeal for mercy and didn’t flee. He
Chapter 1, About what is important _ BC Broekhin, Margot Maassen