Short Lecture on Socrates and Philosophy of the Human Person

Socrates and the Philosophy of the Human Person

1. Floral Picture Slide 1 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person On Socrates: Summarized for Mater Dei Academy

2. Lord, may our own understanding and pursuit of knowledge lead us to live our life according to what truly matters. May our learning not only develop our intellect but deepen our humanity. Amen.

3. “The one thing I know is that I know nothing.”

4. Sophists were intelligent men who traveled teaching grammar, rhetoric (debate, argument, logic), and literature. The Sophists held no values other than winning and succeeding. They were not true believers in the myths of the Greeks but would use references and quotations from the tales for their own purposes. They were secular atheists, relativists and cynical about religious beliefs and all traditions. Athens was becoming a democratic center needing educated citizens. Sophists charged fees, often hired by the wealthy and powerful. Their teachings were highly sought after in Athens. WHY?

5. Why Athens Needed Them: As Athens became a democracy, more people needed to be educated so they could take part in government and debates. Sophists helped prepare citizens to speak up and make good arguments.

6. Socrates emerged as a vocal critic of the Sophists, disapproving of their relativistic approach and their emphasis on persuasion over truth. He believed that the pursuit of objective knowledge and moral clarity was essential for a just society. Socrates' philosophical method sought to uncover absolute truths through questioning and dialogue, directly challenging the Sophists' teachings and their impact on Athenian society.

7. Floral Picture Slide 2 A formidable warrior, known for his exceptional strength and remarkable endurance. Maintained strict self-discipline throughout his life. Deeply invested in nurturing the moral development of individuals. Committed to living a life guided by virtue and ethical principles.

8. Floral Picture Slide 2 Socrates firmly believed in the existence of objective moral standards — definite rights and wrongs that are universal and unchanging. He maintained that these moral truths were not only discoverable but also understandable by human reason, meaning that people could come to accept these truths through thoughtful reflection and apply them consistently in their daily lives. Socrates emphasized the role of society as a collective in determining and upholding these ethical standards. He argued that it was the responsibility of the community as a whole to engage in dialogue and establish what is right and wrong, thereby creating a shared moral framework.

9. Floral Picture Slide 4 Throughout his life, Socrates dedicated himself to the pursuit of these ethical standards, seeking to identify the virtues that constitute a good and virtuous life. His method involved questioning commonly held beliefs to reveal deeper truths, encouraging individuals to live with integrity and moral clarity. This commitment to ethics was central to his philosophy and legacy, influencing countless thinkers and laying the groundwork for Western moral philosophy.

10. Floral Picture Slide 2 Justice and Fairness for All: Socrates believed that justice was a fundamental virtue essential for a harmonious society. He argued that fairness should not be limited to certain groups but extended universally, ensuring that every individual receives what is rightfully theirs. Duty to Seek Truth: Socrates emphasized the moral responsibility of each person to actively question and examine their beliefs about right and wrong. This pursuit of truth involves critical thinking and self-reflection to understand complex concepts like justice, injustice, courage, and cowardice.

11. Floral Picture Slide 5 Universal Principles and Laws: He sought to identify ethical principles and laws that transcend cultural and temporal boundaries. These universal truths were meant to guide human behavior consistently, promoting well-being and happiness regardless of individual differences or societal changes. Applicability Across Time and Place: Socrates maintained that these truths are not situational or relative but hold true for all people, at any time and in every circumstance. This universality underscores the timeless relevance of his philosophical inquiries and their importance in guiding moral conduct.

12. Floral Picture Slide 2 Socrates' Style Was Distinctive Questioning Through Discussions or Dialogues Socrates engaged people in thoughtful conversations rather than delivering lectures. His method involved asking probing questions that encouraged critical thinking and self-reflection, making the dialogue a dynamic process of discovery rather than a one-sided explanation. Choosing Experts as Discussion Partners He deliberately selected individuals who were considered knowledgeable or experts in their fields. This choice was strategic, as it allowed Socrates to challenge established beliefs and expose the limits of their understanding, thereby encouraging deeper inquiry into the subject matter.

13. Floral Picture Slide 2 Socrates' Dialogues and Moral Inquiry Socrates used dialogues as a powerful tool to explore and uncover people's beliefs about what it means to live a moral and just life. Through these conversations, he aimed to challenge assumptions and encourage deeper reflection on ethical principles, rather than accepting conventional wisdom at face value. The Importance of Questioning Central to Socrates' philosophy was the insistence on questioning everything — not only the information presented by others but also one's own deeply held beliefs and values. Learning Through Inquiry Socrates himself was a lifelong learner who developed his own philosophical ideas through this method of questioning and dialogue. By engaging with others and critically examining ideas, he contributed significantly to Western philosophy, demonstrating that knowledge grows through continuous questioning and reflection.

14. Key Aspects of Socratic Questioning: Open-ended questions: Questions that encourage thoughtful responses rather than simple yes/no answers. Follow-up questions: Questions that build on previous answers to delve deeper into the topic. Non-judgmental approach: The goal is to guide, not to criticize or correct. Focus on the process of thinking: The method emphasizes the reasoning process rather than just the outcome.

15. Should we legislate filial piety?

16. Floral Picture Slide 2 The soul holds a central and profound place in Socrates' philosophy, representing the essence of a person's true self and moral character. This has to be nurtured and protected Socrates believed that the soul requires careful cultivation through education, reflection, and ethical living. Just as the body needs care to remain healthy, the soul must be nurtured to grow in wisdom and virtue. Gaining wisdom saves the soul. For him, wisdom was not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding of what is truly good and just. This wisdom acts as a safeguard, preserving the soul from moral corruption and guiding it toward a higher state of being. This would lead the person to living a virtuous life.

17. Floral Picture Slide 1 Gaining wisdom would save the soul For Socrates, wisdom was not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding of what is truly good and just. This wisdom acts as a safeguard, preserving the soul from moral corruption and guiding it toward a higher state of being. This would lead the person to living a virtuous life Living virtuously means aligning one's actions with moral goodness, which Socrates saw as the natural outcome of a well-cultivated soul. Virtue is both the goal and the evidence of a soul that has been saved through wisdom. ‘Knowing what is good is the same as doing what is good.’ If a person genuinely understands what is good, they will naturally act accordingly because wrongdoing stems from ignorance. Believed people would not willingly do wrong Socrates argued that no one desires harm to themselves or others; wrongdoing is a result of a lack of knowledge rather than a willful choice to be evil.

18. Floral Picture Slide 1 No-one wants to be a bad person This idea reflects Socrates' optimistic view of human nature, suggesting that all individuals seek happiness and goodness, which can only be achieved through a virtuous soul. Subsequent thinkers challenged Socrates' belief, proposing that people might know what is right but still fail to act accordingly due to weakness of will, temptation, or lack of self-discipline. They said that a person might know what is right but may not be strong enough or disciplined enough to do it. This critique introduces the concept of akrasia, or weakness of will, highlighting the complexity of human behavior where knowledge alone does not guarantee moral action.

19. Instruction Slide Socrates defined right actions as those promoting humanity's true happiness. True pleasure, according to Socrates, comes from living a moral life.

20. Criticism of the Government He openly challenged the Athenian authorities and their policies, questioning the integrity and wisdom of those in power, which made him a controversial figure. Efforts to Improve Justice He sought to deepen the Athenians' understanding of justice, urging them to act according to virtue rather than tradition or popular opinion. Pursuit of Virtue and Truth Socrates' unwavering commitment to living a virtuous life and his insistence on seeking truth often put him at odds with societal norms and the prevailing attitudes of his time.

21. Trial and Charges Socrates was tried and found guilty on charges of heresy—impiety against the gods recognized by the state—and corrupting the youth by encouraging them to question traditional beliefs and authority, which was seen as a threat to social order. Despite having the opportunity to escape his sentence, Socrates chose to remain in Athens, honoring his principles and the laws of the city. He accepted his fate calmly, drank the poison, and died, demonstrating his commitment to his philosophical beliefs and moral integrity.

22. Closing Prayer