The Philosopher's Way

A Text with Readings

FIFTH EDITION

CHAPTER 2
what is the
philosopher’s way?

Socrates and the

Examined Life

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Where does philosophy begin? Raphael's mural, The School of Athens, depicts the early Greek philosophers
engaged in reflection, discussion, and debate. We will start the philosophical journey with Socrates, whose life
embodied the philosopher's way.

Nick Pavlakis/Shutterstock

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 Learning Objectives

2.1 Describe why Socrates can be

considered a model for humanity.
2.2 Explain the Socratic Method and
illustrate how it is used to investigate
complex issues.

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 Learning Objectives

2.3 Explain how Socrates defined the

soul and the implications for how we
should live our lives.
2.4 Relate and analyze the events in the
trial and death of Socrates.

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 Chapter Overview

Click on the screenshot in presentation mode to view a video on Socrates and the
examined life.

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 2.1 Socrates: A Model for
Humanity
• Socrates
• Hesiod, Homer, and the birth of
philosophy
 Thales
 Anaximenes
 Heraclitus
 Democritus
 Anaxagoras

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Homer: In the Western classical tradition Homer is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the
greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have
had an enormous influence on the history of literature.

kmiragaya/Fotolia

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 2.1 Socrates: A Model for
Humanity
• Hesiod, Homer, and the birth of
philosophy
 Pythagoras
 Parmenides
• Karl Jaspers, from The Axial Period
• A man from Greece
 Socratic Method
 Plato
 Xenophon
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Plato (428–347 B.C.E.). Ancient Greek philosopher of extraordinary significance in the history of ideas. Plato not
only preserved Socrates's teachings for future generations but also contributed original ideas on a wide range of
issues such as morality, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

Anastasios71/Shutterstock

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Xenophon (430–357 B.C.E.) Biographer of Socrates and his student as a youth. In addition to four works on
Socrates, Xenophon wrote histories and practical treatises on leadership, horsemanship, hunting, and economics.
Also a warrior, he fought for the Greeks and then for their enemies, the Spartans.

The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty

Images
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 2.1 Socrates: A Model for
Humanity
• A midwife of ideas
 Agora
• The wisest of men?
 Oracle of Delphi

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Where do you think philosophically? Socrates thrived on the intellectual life of the agora (the marketplace),
where he could be sure to find others ready to engage in debate about philosophical ideas.

Granger, NYC

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The Oracle at Delphi. According to the revered Oracle at Delphi, no man was wiser than Socrates. What does
the use of oracles suggest about the culture of ancient Greece? How does Socrates apply reason within that
culture?

bpk, Berlin/Art Resource, NY

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 2.1 Socrates: A Model for
Humanity
• Plato, from The Apology
• Analyzing Socrates on wisdom and
humility

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 2.2 The Socratic Method

• Xenophon's autobiography, Memorabilia

• The Socratic Method
• Dialectic
• Sophists
• Plato, from The Republic
• Analyzing a Socratic dialogue

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2.3 Socrates's Central Concern:
The Soul
• Psyche
• Plato, from The Apology
• Socrates's conviction
 The unexamined life is not worth living.
 The truth lies within each of us.
 We should strive for excellence in all
areas of life.

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2.3 Socrates's Central Concern:
The Soul
• Socrates's conviction
 No one knowingly does evil.
• Arête
• Epistêmê
• Sophia
 It is better to suffer wickedness than to
commit it.
• Analyzing the core teachings of
Socrates
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 2.4 The Trial and Death of
Socrates
• If not for his trial and execution, it is
possible that we would not be studying
him today.
• Plato's dialogue, The Apology
• Allegations that he:
 Corrupted youth of Athens
 Did not believe in the gods whom the
state believes in, but in other new
divinities

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 2.4 The Trial and Death of
Socrates
• Socrates had also developed enemies
because of his political views.
• Socrates was also the target of a
vindictive father, Anytus.

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 2.4 The Trial and Death of
Socrates
• One of the attacks against Socrates
was an example of "poisoning the well."
• Socrates acknowledges the difficulty of
overcoming deeply ingrained prejudice.

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 2.4 The Trial and Death of
Socrates
• Socrates addresses the common belief
that "where there's smoke, there's
fire."
• Socrates had over the years attracted a
large number of mainly young disciples.

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 2.4 The Trial and Death of
Socrates
• What incentive would Socrates have to
influence the youth of Athens to be evil
rather than good?
• "Defining your terms"
• Argument by design
• Socrates found guilty
 Athenian legal system
• Analyzing Socrates on trial

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The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David. The eighteenth-century French painter David portrayed
Socrates as undaunted at the prospect of death, philosophically engaged while reaching for the cup of poison.
Plato is seated on the far left, his writing beside him on the floor. Crito grasps Socrates's robes. Do you think
Socrates should have tried to escape death, or did his decision show wisdom?

Tomas Abad/Alamy

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Making Connections: Socrates's
Legacy
• Why does Socrates merit the distinction
and the careful analysis we have given
his life and ideas?
• Why is he often termed the "father of
Western philosophy?"
 Does he deserve this exalted title?

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What is Socrates's legacy? Socrates's commitment to rational inquiry lived on through his disciples and
became the standard for Western culture. This picture depicts Plato's disciple Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.) teaching a
youthful Alexander the Great of Macedonia. Alexander would eventually conquer the Persian Empire, bringing
Socratic ideas with him. What Socratic ideas do you recognize as being an integral part of our culture?

Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey/Bridgeman Images

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Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved