Chapter 1 Review

Socrates is the center of attention in chapter 1, and more importantly they are concerned with Socrates’ trial and inevitable execution. It is important to remember that the story of Socrates is told by Plato because Socrates didn’t believe the written word could defend itself. It is important to remember this because it tends to be one of those “fun facts” that find their way onto tests.

In this instance Socrates, according to Plato (cough, cough), has just been sentenced to death by the Athenian courts. Another “fun fact” is that at the time exile from Athens was an accepted unofficial alternative to the courts punishment. Socrates’ friends had made ready his escape, and in true Socrates form he was making it harder for everyone than it needed to be. Rather than making his escape to freedom Socrates constructed three arguments why he should adhere to the courts decisions, and inevitably committed a voluntarily suicide/martyrdom. Depending on how you look at it Socrates was either the greatest fool or greatest patriot of all time.

Now before reviewing Socrates three arguments you should probably understand why these arguments are important. The book will tell you that these arguments where influential for Thomas Hobbs and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, however, hopefully at this point in your college career you have grown weary of name dropping. If name dropping is insufficient for you then you will probably have to put in some extra thought about “why” Socrates arguments are so important. Personally I liken it to the maintenance crew that makes sure the foundation doesn’t crack on a large bridge.

Plato’s three arguments-

1. The Argument about Destroying the state (hint – it wasn’t even that good in his time)

“If the laws of a city are meaningless, then, indeed, the city cannot survive.”

2. The Analogy between the state and One’s Parents (Closer but still not there)

“”…You are even more bound to respect and placate the anger of your country then your father’s anger?”

3. The Argument from the Social contract (this is the one you need, can’t think of any more subtle way of saying that)

If you don’t know this argument, go to the text book pg. 6

Questions derived from this chapter to think about-

Lead in arguments for the power, or lack thereof, non-corporeal concepts such as “Law” or “Justice.”

Easily discuss of if social construction is what places man above beast.

Is it ethical to die for what you believe in?

Films working with some of these questions-

The Fugitive (book mentions this one)

A few good men

Well I am drawing blanks at the moment so I am going to get some coffee, and start writing for chapter 2. I really hope that people will add to this review, and get a nice study guide for the class on the blog.

-Hopper