Character of Socrates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Character of Socrates - Essay Example The paper initially compares, then contrasts and eventually concludes about the character of Socrates. This is done by taking into account what is said by Nietzsche about Socrates’ problems in TI, as Socrates talks with Crito and as seen in Apology. Some of the attributes of Socrates as discovered by Nietzsche are similar to the ones seen in Apology, when Socrates appeared in court and when he talked with one of his friends Crito. There are certain characteristics of Socrates, which did not change, even though his life became quite tough. These include: I. Being argumentative II. His acts of being a real criminal III. Being erotic IV. Being controversial V. Being ironical I. Argumentative Socrates was actually argumentative (Friedrich 33). He began his speech by arguing on how the problem he faced was massive; he stated that his accusers hardly uttered a word of truth about him. He went onto further state that his accusers may go ahead and tell the men of Athens that Socrates deceives people through his eloquence. He also goes onto declare that using the same words is like a known habit to Socrates, since it was seen in the money changer’s table and agora among other places. ... Socrates established that this was one of his principles. He further explained that the bad opinions need no consideration, but good ones need careful deliberation. He explained that this was the reason for him not escaping to a nearby safe country. He took one-step further and stated that his opinions are better than the rest, since he regarded himself as a wise man. The opinions of unwise people are evil and therefore require no attention. II. Being a typical criminal Nietzsche discovered Socrates as a typical criminal. Nietzsche validates this fact by stating that in Apology, Socrates, in the presence of judges confronted everyone without any sort of fear or remorse. By defiantly asking Meletus to name the improver of the youth, he implied that he was the youth’s corrupter. Furthermore, one of the foreigners also told Socrates that he was full of worst appetites and vices. At this remark, Socrates actually agreed with the foreigner, stating ‘You know me sir’, s howing that someone who barely knew Socrates also found him to be a criminal. Moreover, Nietzsche also used the appearance of Socrates to claim that since Socrates was so ugly, he was ugly in spirit, as well, as elucidated by ‘monstrous in appearance, monstrous in spirit. III. Socrates was erotic Socrates was quite erotic, as mentioned by Nietzsche. He told men of Athens that he was not going to change his way of living, even if he had to die many times. He told people not to interrupt him, while he was delivering his speech, as shown in Apology in these lines ‘And I must remind you that you are not to interrupt me if I speak in my accustomed manner’. (Walter and Hollingdale, 162). He claimed that he might be a corrupter of youth by stating that he never misled them intentionally. By asking