Socrates

Today for our cyber blog we are supposed to report about a famous Greek philosopher and I picked Socrates. He was such a great philosopher that he created other famous Greek philosophers like Plato and Xenophon. Socrates had married a girl much younger than him which gave him an "image" that not many liked. His wife gave birth to three kids but he was criticized by many for leaving his sons in a rather tragic way later in his life. Socrates actually started his life as a great stonecutter following after his father who actually contributed to stones used in the Parthenon. He claimed to only really dedicate himself to his true calling; discussing philosophy. Socrates even served as a soldier in different battles and even saved some people's lives. One of Socrates' most famous lines of philosophy was, "The unexamined life is not worth living". My class studied this phrase earlier in the year and you basically have to come up with a meaning that means something to you. I thought this statement meant that you need to actually live before you die. Do something with your life that makes you happy and explore the world. Discover new adventures and find different truths to different mysteries. I take great interest in this statement because of its may different possible out comes and admire Socrates profound mind. But not many other found his teachings to be so amazing. Government thought his teachings were corrupting the minds of the youth and dishonoring the city and main "truths" such as beliefs in gods and goddesses. They put him on trial and told him that if he could convince his towns people that he is not guilty he would be let go. Socrates could have won those people over in 5 minutes with his words and convincing theories. But he thought that his people already had their minds made up so he might as well just state his ideas for everyone to hear. They pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to killing himself by hemlock. Hemlock is a deadly poison that slowly and painfully shuts down your body and it is not a pretty process. Socrates' loved ones made an escape for him that was full proof for him to escape the death sentence. He turned them down and told them that he wanted to do what his people decided. He looked at them as he tipped back the poison and died in front of his loved ones eyes. Socrates' teachings are still studied today and reflected on because of their profound meanings. I think Socrates could have been one of the brightest minds in history but also a very stubborn one. Greek philosophy is one of the most fascinating subjects in history to me and I hope I get to learn more about it in the future.