The Reconciliation Of Two Positions - 1696 Words

ndy Dong September 25, 2014 Gov 1012 Professor Franco The Reconciliation of Two Positions Considered as one of the most prominent individuals in history, Socrates not only helped to set up the foundations for Western philosophy, but the legacy he left behind is something that is still being discussed today by historians and philosophers alike. Socrates is renowned for standing up for his beliefs even in the midst of death as portrayed in Plato’s account of Socrates’ defense speech, Apology, in which he gave during his 339 B.C. trial. It is in this eminent speech that Socrates is able show the dedication he has for philosophy, even going as far as to say that he would rather die than to ever cease practicing philosophy. On the other hand,†¦show more content†¦In the Crito, Socrates opinion on his obligation to obey the law can be seen as a flexible one. While Socrates does believe he is required to obey the law because they have benefited and nurtured him, if a law is unjust, Socrates indicates that one should eith er attempt to persuade the state of this or choose to obey the law. Thus, the two seemingly contrasting positions that Socrates possesses in the Apology and Crito by Plato can be reconciled when considering Socrates’ failed attempt to persuade the state of the unjust nature of his case; it is only after this defeat that Socrates declares he must obey the court ruling because he ultimately does believe that the law triumphs over all. The Socrates that is depicted in Plato’s Apology seems to be a man who is not only extremely passionate and committed to his own beliefs, but is also willing to defy the law if the state prohibits him from pursuing what he believes is his mission: to live the life of a philosopher. Socrates distinguishes himself early on in his speech as a higher individual with a unique sense of knowledge because he â€Å"[does] not think [he knows] what [he does] not know† (Apology 25). Unlike others of his time, Socrates is able recognize his own ignorance, and this is what makes him wise. Socrates decides to go even further by saying that he believes he was ordered by the god to â€Å"live the life of a philosopher, to examine myself and others† in order to establish himself as a