¶ … Wisdom? The study of philosophy in general is often thought of as the gaining of knowledge. At least, so it is for many philosophy students embarking upon a college course that attempts to introduce them to the cannon of Western thought and to give them the basis for asking the right questions about their daily lives and their daily getting of wisdom, in class and outside of class.
After reading the philosopher Socrates, who stands at the beginning of the Western tradition of thought relating to wisdom, one might be tempted to equate wisdom with simply getting a clear and unbiased or 'truthful' view of the world and human nature. Unvarnished truth, in all of its ugliness ultimately gives one the greatest access to a true form of happiness and thusly, to true wisdom. This is why, according to Socrates, it is better to face death in a logically coherent fashion than it is to live a life of lies. It would be a lie, he tells his friends, not to drink hemlock and to escape Athens, after profiting from the societal structure of freedom and democracy for all of his life, that enabled him to teach. Thus Socrates will espouse his teachings, accept the verdict of his Athenian peers, accept the wisdom that was the focus of his life, and die rather than attempt to escape and live a life of lies.
Aldous Huxley, writing many years later than the Classic Greek philosopher, creates a satirical picture of a false world that like Socrates equates truth with wisdom. But Huxley creates a society that, unlike democratic Athens, does not seem to be undergoing a temporary madness in condemning a man for speaking freely. Society in Huxley's science fictional vision is entirely mad in the way it even biologically reproduces, much less educates its young. In the Brave New World of Huxley, truth and happiness...
Philosophy -- Plato's "The Apology" "The Apology" is Plato's recollection of Socrates' trial, conviction, sentencing and last words to the jury. The Apology is divided into three parts. The first part, Socrates' principal speech to the jury, is his argument against old and new accusations. The second part, Socrates' "counter-assessment," is Socrates' rebuttal of the prosecutor's recommendation of the death penalty. The third part, Socrates' final words to the jury, consists
Philosophy Final Soccio's Archetypes of Wisdom gives a relatively thorough survey of philosophy from ancient "wise men" like Socrates down to present-day university professors like Martha Nussbaum. It gives a sense of philosophy as not only applicable to serious questions in our daily life, but also. I think the three biggest areas in which I learned from Soccio's survey of philosophy relate to religion, utilitarianism, and something I would like to
Knowledge and truth were considered absolute and immutable by these two, though for very different reasons, which is the complete antithesis to the empirical theories of Popper, Peirce, Kuhn, and James. The progression of knowledge in the face of such certainty could only result in pure growth from previously established claims, as no truth could ever be said to exist that was not thoroughly and absolutely proved by careful
This means that if someone has a problem with a law, there is an opportunity for that person to take action that can result in the law being changes. This is an opportunity that Socrates had. As noted, he was aware that he was disobeying moral laws. However, he also acted as if the laws did not exist and failed to recognize the reality of them. In doing so,
Philosophy In his discourse, The Republic, Plato describes the "ideal state" as composed of three social classes: the merchant class, military class, and philosopher-kings. The merchant class maintains and provides service to the society by safeguarding the people's economic activities, while the military class provides the society's security needs. However, in order to establish a stable society, the class of philosopher-kings must govern, having the knowledge, skills, and talent to govern
Medieval Philosophy In the introduction to the Greenwood series the Great Cultural Eras of the Western World, A.D. 500 to 1300, is described as the Middle Ages. "Borders and peoples were never quiescent during these tumultuous times." Schulman (2002). Germanic tribes had invaded and settled in the former Roman Empire, and the synthesis of three cultures -- the classical, Christian, and Germanic -- had begun. In the sixth century, Clovis had completed
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