The Life of Socrates Socrates (469-399 BCE)

Ancient Greece and the City-State 5th Century BCE (500-400 BCE) Greeks spread out in various small village-like, self-governing communities called City-States. Geography, tribal division, and diversity of economic and political interest contributed to the development of the City-State.

Athens: the cultural center of the Peloponnesians

Thebes: the religious center

Sparta: the military center

Corinth: the commercial center (city of luxury, wealth, prostitutes).

Important Dates for Athens 431: Outbreak of Peloponnesian war: Athenians marked by disunity 415: Athenians lose power after failed attempt to take over Sicily 411-410: Revolution of the 400 (led by sophist Antiphon) 404: Athens is surrounded by Thebes, Spartans, and Corinthians. After starvation and disease set in, Athens surrenders. Spartans rule after this, followed by the rule of the Thebes.

Two Types of Democracy In Athens

Aristocratic Democracy Prior to 403 BCE., aristocratic democracy was the form of government. The best or privileged ruled. E.g., the ruling class of four hundred in 412 and the Thirty in 404 BCE. The Thirty were overthrown, leading to a period of restoration beginning in 403 BCE.

Egalitarian Democracy The restoration period followed the collapse of the Aristocratic democracy in 403 BCE. All individuals are equal; there are no class distinctions. Egalitarian democracy persecuted Socrates.

Socrates (469-399 BCE)

The Life of Socrates: Major Sources

(Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Symposium): Plato (429-347 BCE) (Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Symposium): the Socrates of Plato is profoundly human and profoundly brilliant, a great analytical mind.

(Memorabilia, Symposium): Socrates is the ethical teacher. Xenophon (430-354 BCE) (Memorabilia, Symposium): Socrates is the ethical teacher.

(the Clouds, a Greek comedy written in Athens in 423 BC): Aristophanes ( 448-380 BCE) (the Clouds, a Greek comedy written in Athens in 423 BC): Socrates is presented as a SOPHIST.

Socrates is a wise metaphysician. Aristotle (384-322 BCE) Socrates is a wise metaphysician.

Life of Socrates Stone maker by trade Spent time in military as a foot soldier and distinguished himself for bravery. Between the age of 35 and 40 he experienced a religious conversion and was convinced that he had a divine mission to teach virtue. 406 BCE Socrates was a member of the Athenian Senate Responsible for educating Alcibiades and Critias, right wing aristocrats and enemies of the democracy.

404/403 BCE: Socrates refused to join with the Ruling Thirty in the arrest and murder of Leon of Salamis. 400/399 BCE: Socrates was brought to trial by the leaders of the restored democracy. 399 BCE: Socrates was executed.

Sophism (5th Century Greece) Sophists (hoi sophoi), the wise guys, were typically lawyers and politicians. They taught the skills of persuasion or rhetoric to people for a fee.

Atheism: A rejection of the traditional views of the gods. Moral relativism: morality is not fixed; there is no absolute distinction between right and wrong. Opportunism: success, money, and power - at any price. Rejection of the traditional values: Ethical values concerning man's relationship with his fellow man. Egoism: Focus on the self and success: at any price, get ahead.

Charges against Socrates The Religious Charge - Atheism: (a) A rejection of traditional beliefs about the gods and (b) the introduction of a new theology in its place. The Moral Charge: (a) Sophism (i.e., the advancement of moral relativism) and (b) corrupting the youth. The Implicit "Guilt by Association" - a Factor?: Socrates’ associations with enemies of the restored democracy.

The Meno Dialogue composed by Plato Setting: Athens, about 402 BCE Few years after the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian war Shortly after the establishment of the restored democracy. Characters: Socrates, Meno (young aristocrat from Thessaly), and Anytus (Athenian politician and Meno’s host in Athens). Two years later Meno will be killed while fighting as a mercenary in Persia.