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Important People of History Essay past Greece was kn take in for many things, including great thinkers and philosophers. Many names come to mind from this period, including that of Socrates. Certainly, none are so colorful. He wrote nonhing, but his impact was unmatched by others. His ideas were revolutionary, and caused enough controversy that he was finally draw up on foot race in capital of Greece, guaranteeing that his mark on history would be indelible. Socrates was born in 469 B. C. E. to Sophroniscus and Phaenarete. piddling is known well-nigh him beyond what others wrote, since he resisted any urges to put words on paper. What is known about him comes from Aristophanes, Xenophon, and Plato, all of whom wrote about him. However, their narratives differ in somewhat crucial ways, and so there are some things that will never be known about the enigmatic philosopher. Socrates was a firm believer in the power of the intellect. He insisted that a man must order his life by the guidance of his own intellect, believing that it was this above all that must be cultivated. He never hesitated in saying what he believed, and this tendency made him unpopular in many circles.However, he did not allow this to deter him from expressing these beliefs. friendship and truth were paramount to him, and he would not sacrifice these virtues for anything. When he was eighteen, Socrates was required to do the duty of any citizen, and this included training in the A becauseian militia. He served the years that were expected of him, engaging in involvement in 432 as a foot soldier to process put down a revolt. On the way home from the siege that followed, Socrates saved the life of Alcibiades during a subsequent battle near Spartolus, losing the battle.They returned to capital of Greece in 429, where he was accused of helping the playwright Euripides to write his tragedies. Important People of History paginate 2 of 5 Socrates next saw battle at Delium in 424. The Athe nians saw defeat notwithstanding again, although Socrates distinguished himself once more. In some other year, he was yet again immersed in battle, this time at Amphipolis. This ended in another defeat, and was also the last battle that Socrates fought. Peace was made between Athens and Sparta, and this is when Socrates could begin to concentrate in earnest on debates and discussions to pass on his ideas and beliefs.Education, democracy, and Mystery religion were tombstone themes in this. During this time, Socrates married Xanthippe, and they would have dickens sons. Socrates perhaps became best known for the Socratic Method. This method was meant to help intellectuals come to correct conclusions, and it made definition the most essential point of this. In a zest to find the truth, Socrates believed that one must require a standard of truth and an explanation of the causes of error. The comparison of two ideas is necessary in making a judgment, and those ideas must be clear a nd not vague.This method lasted end-to-end the centuries, and is still practiced to twenty-four hours. Socrates is also known as the founder of utilitarianism. Ethics and the process of applying his methods to them was a anchor interest of his, and this study led to utilitarian ideas. With this, he came to the conclusion that better is useful and virtue is happiness. This create the core of his paradox, which is that men do not willingly commit wrongs, and that this is done only through ignorance. patch Socrates wrote nothing, he spent a great deal of his life conversing with others.This was a major part of his Socratic method. He never attempted to teach, for he believed that he had no knowledge. He professed that he was only transcendent in the fact Important People of History Page 3 of 5 that he knew that he knew nothing. It was a goal of his to prove that popular ideas were inconsistent, and he wished to convince all to whom he spoke that their convictions could not stand up under examination. Socrates was well known for frequenting places such as marketplaces, where he would engage mint in conversation.He enjoyed doing this with people of all ranks and stations, often putting off important people and gaining their animosity. His carriage and lack of deference gained him many enemies many resenting what they felt were his ridicule. There was nothing that Socrates felt was too unspeakable to question and criticize, and this included both religion and government. He was perhaps more agnostic than anything, and he had no compunctions about questioning and criticizing the gods. This added to feelings of animosity against him, as did the fact that he was also quite vocal against the reigning powers.It was this that was to lead to his arrest and subsequent trial, which is perhaps the pinnacle of his career. Socrates was arrested when he was seventy on charges that he does not believe in the gods recognized by the urban center, but introduces strange supernatural beings he is also guilty, because he corrupts the youth. The political reasons were kept quiet, instead focusing on impiety, and the sentence proposed was that of death, although those who accused him had no real desire to put him to death, only to force him to leave and no longer be a thorn in their sides.However, Socrates refused to leave, instead remaining behind to face the charges against him. A life away from his interactions with the Athenians would not have worthy him, and so he remained. Important People of History Page 4 of 5 Socrates faced a control panel of 501 men. This jury, as all Athenian juries, would vote twice. Their first vote was on guilt or innocence, and their second vote was for the sentence. While Socrates expected that he would be convicted, he expressed surprise at how closely the jury was split on the first and basic question. It was a difference of six pct that would have turned the tide, acquitting him. Socrates had the chance to avoid a sentence of death once the verdict came in. It was a practice of the Athenian law system to allow the defendant to put forth another penalization, and the jury would choose between the two. However, the punishment that Socrates suggested was merely a small fine, which was so minuscule a punishment that the jury had humble choice but to condemn him to death. It was not for thirty days after his trial that Socrates would meet his end.During that time, his friend Crito appealed to him to escape, but Socrates believed that the harm that would come from that would be a greater harm to the city than to allow himself to follow through with the sentence, and that it would have brought shame on his family and friends. Socrates did not seem to fear his death. In fact, on the day upon which he was scheduled to die, he seemed quite happy and pleasant. Death was perhaps another opportunity for him to learn and experience. He was also not alone when the end came, as his wife and young son, a s well as friends, were present.He spent his last day doing what he loved best, discussing philosophical system and once more passing on his wisdom. Xanthippe was taken home before his actual death took place, release him with his Important People of History Page 5 of 5 friends and advising them to agree if they believed what he said was truth, and to contend it if they did not, refusing to restrain themselves. To the end, he was determined to hold onto his ideals and beliefs, and insisted on others doing so as well. After bathing and then meeting with his family once more, he met with his executioners. He was given a glass of hemlock after having its effects explained to him.After this formality, he cheerfully took the cup and drank. Thus ended the life of one of the most fundamental leaders of philosophy. Socrates, through all of his life, lived up to the ideals and beliefs that he taught. He never compromised these, even up to the day that he died. To him, the importance of remaining true to himself and his teachings was paramount, and to do otherwise would be an injustice. He did not solely talk and hope that others learned from him he lived by example and died by the same. His legacy proved to be quite enduring, and is still a cornerstone of philosophy to this day.His students, such as Plato, helped to preserve this and pass it on. Without Plato and others, little would be known today of Socrates. The impression he made was a lasting one, and a good example even today, encouraging people not to be afraid to question and discuss, because without these things, learning cannot be successful.Works Cited Bury, J. B. and Russell Meiggs. A History of Greece. London Macmillan Education LTD, 1975. Nails, Debra. Socrates. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 16 Sept. 2005. http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/socrates/. Stone, I. F. The Trial of Socrates. New York Doubleday, 1989.