Philosophy of Socrates: brief and understandable. Socrates: the main ideas of philosophy

The most interesting and influential thinker of the 5th century BC. Was Socrates. This thinker lived in ancient Greece. The life and philosophy of Socrates (it is very difficult to describe briefly, but we will try to highlight the key points) are inextricably linked, as you will see after reading this article. Since he was looking for true knowledge, and not for simply winning over an opponent, Socrates used the same logical techniques as the Sophists in striving to achieve the truth. He put all things in doubt and took them for truth only after careful consideration, so that this thinker is considered the first representative of critical philosophy. The philosophy of Socrates is briefly and clearly outlined below and is presented to your attention.

Sources of study

Socrates as a thinker was well known in his time due to oratorical skills and social activities. He himself did not write anything, so when we study it, we rely only on the records left by his disciples (in particular, Xenophon and Plato). The biography and philosophy of Socrates is summarized in their writings. The difficulty is that Plato was also a philosopher and often inserted his own theories into dialogues, which he represented as discussions between Socrates and other famous contemporaries.

Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that, at least, Plato's early dialogues give us an accurate idea of what the philosophy of Socrates is, briefly and understandably.

"Evtifron": what is piety

In "Evtifron," for example, Sharply critical discussion of Socrates with the self-assured young man is described. Finding that Evtifron is fully confident in his ethical correctness, even in the morally ambiguous case of a trial with his own father, Socrates asks him what is "piety" (moral duty) in his opinion. This is not just a list of actions that can be called pious. Evtifron should give a general definition, covering the very essence of the concept of "piety". But every response that the young man offers is subjected to a thorough criticism of Socrates until Evtifron can no longer offer anything.

Endorsement of the gods

In particular, Socrates systematically refutes the assumption of Evtifron that the criterion for the correctness of this or that act is the approval of the gods. First, the question of what is "right" always causes unending disputes, and the gods often contradict themselves, just like people, calling this or that act both good and bad. Socrates allows Evtifron to recoup (only to continue the discussion) and accepts the reservation that the gods must first become fully unanimous in this matter (note that this problem only arises in polytheistic culture).

Second, and more importantly, Socrates makes a formal dilemma from a simple, seemingly question: "Do gods love piety as such or does piety become piety only because the gods love it?"

None of these two alternatives is suitable for the definition of piety offered by Evtifron. If the right deeds are pious only because they are approved by the gods, then the moral rightness is arbitrary, completely dependent on the vagaries of the gods. If the gods love piety as such, it follows that there must be some undivine source of values known to us.

A difficult dilemma

In fact, this dilemma offers considerable difficulties when trying to compare morality with external power. Consider, for example, questions with a similar structure: "Do my parents approve this act because it is correct, or is my act correct because its parents approve?", "The state prohibits such behavior because it is ungodly, or It is ungodly because the state forbids it? ". In the second alternative, in each of these cases, the actions become correct (incorrect) only because some authority approves (disapproves) them. The choice, therefore, has no rational justification, since it is impossible to attribute the undeniable wisdom of this external authority. But in the first variant the government approves (or does not approve) any behavior, because it is in itself correct (or wrong), regardless of it. That is, following this logic, we are able to independently distinguish good from evil.

Thus, the philosophy of Socrates and Plato, summarized above, involves questioning (if not denying) progress in solving any philosophical problem. This method helps to eliminate mistakes in solving serious issues and calls for intellectual independence. The philosophy of Socrates is briefly and understandably revealed to us by examples.

The character of Evtifron, however, does not change, at the end of the dialogue he leaves the stage as self-assured as he was. Using the Socrates method leads to the victory of the mind, but it can not convince those to whom it appeals.

"Apology"

Due to the fact that Socrates was not a supporter of the current regime, representatives of the Athenian democracy accused him of undermining the state religion and seducing minors. The speech he put forward in his defense is given in Plato's "Apology" and gives us a deeper understanding of Socrates's approach to philosophy, his attitude to practical life.

Ironic modesty

Explaining his mission as a philosopher, Socrates quotes the oracle's message that he is the cleverest of the Greeks. Then follows a series of ironic descriptions of the efforts of the thinker to refute the oracle in conversations with famous Athenians, who must certainly be wiser than he. After each such conversation, however, Socrates comes to the conclusion that he has such a kind of wisdom that these people lack, namely recognition of his own ignorance.

Philosophy of the Sophists and Socrates in Brief

The purpose of this doubt was to help people achieve true self-knowledge, even if it leads to unpleasant discoveries. The philosophy of Socrates, briefly and clearly stated, always comes down to this doubt. Socrates turns inside out the methods of the Sophists, using logical inconsistencies to show (rather than create) the illusion of reality.

Devotion to Truth

Even after he was found guilty by the court, Socrates refuses to renounce his convictions and his method. He also refuses to accept expulsion from Athens and the requirement to remain silent, insisting that public discussion of the most important problems of life and virtue is an integral part of any human life. The philosopher prefers to die, rather than abandon his philosophy.

Even after he was sentenced to death, Socrates (philosophy briefly presented above) calmly utters the last word - thinking about what the future is preparing for us all. Having said that the fate of a person after death is unknown, he nevertheless expressed an unshakable faith in the power of reason, which he preached throughout his life and which his judge did not have. So from this position it remains unclear who actually won the case.

The dramatic image of Plato of a man who prefers to face the death, but did not renounce his beliefs, served as a prototype of the future philosophers of antiquity, who took the example from this outstanding thinker. The philosophy of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle is briefly and in general similar.

"Crito": man and the state

The description of Plato in the last days of Socrates was continued in "Crito". While in prison awaiting execution, the philosopher continues to calmly reflect on the serious issues that worried him still at large. The main ideas of the philosophy of Socrates were briefly voiced by him here. Even the injustice of the judgments of judges does not cause bitterness or anger in the thinker. Friends arrive in prison with an impeccable plan to escape from Athens and live in voluntary exile, but Socrates quietly involves them in a sensible discussion about the moral value of such an act, casting doubt on it.

Of course, Crito and other pupils knew their teacher well, they had already come prepared for such a dispute and had stored up arguments in favor of their plan. Salvation will enable Socrates to fulfill his personal obligations in life. Moreover, if he refuses to flee, many will consider that his friends did not care enough about him and therefore did not organize an escape. Thus, in order to fulfill his obligations and preserve the reputation of his friends, Socrates had to escape from prison.

The truth is more precious

But the philosopher rejects these considerations as unrelated to the truth. What others say will not matter. As he claimed in the Apology, the opinion of the majority will not be true, but the opinion of one person who really knows. Only truth can be a criterion of decision-making and only arguments appealing to the truth, he is ready to accept from his friends.

Socrates proceeds here from a common moral principle:

- You should not do evil (even in response to the evil committed by others).

- Should obey the state.

Avoiding the death sentence pronounced by the Athenian court, he would show disobedience to the state, Socrates decided that he should not escape from prison. As always, his actions corresponded to the course of his reasoning. The philosopher chose a commitment to truth and morality, although it cost him his life.

In general, the duty to act in justice is fundamental from the point of view of morality, and the escape of Socrates would be considered disobedience. However, the assertion that one should always obey the state can not be considered so indisputable. From the point of view of Socrates, the state should treat its subjects as a parent with a child, and since parents should always be obeyed, it is also always necessary to obey the state. However, the question of the admissibility of such a comparison remains controversial. Obeying parents is a temporary commitment that we take on until we grow up, and we must obey the state until we die.

Your attention was presented to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. Philosophy briefly and, hopefully, was clearly outlined in this article.