Socrates First Accusers And Athenian Law Of All Confrontations In Poli

Socrate's First Accusers and Athenian Law Of all confrontations in political philosophy, the biggest is the conflict between philosophy and politics. The problem remains making philosophy friendly to politics. The questioning of authoritative opinions is not easily accomplished nor is that realm of philosophy - the pursuit of wisdom. Socrates was the instigator of the conflict. While the political element takes place within opinions about political life, Socrates asks the question "What is the best regime and how should I live?" Ancient thought is riddled with unknowns and can make no such statement as "how should I live." The Socratic philosophy offers an alternative and prepares the way for the alternative of absolutes. This alternative is not without its faults. Socratic philosophy is plagued by a destructive element. It reduces the authoritative opinions about political life but replaces it with nothing. This is the vital stem from which the "Apology of Socrates" is written. Because of the stinging attack on Athenian life, and the opinions which they revere so highly, Socrates is placed on trial for his life. The question now becomes why and in what manner did Socrates refute the gods and is he quilty? Socrates, himself, speaks out the accusers charges by saying "Socrates does injustice and is meddlesome, by investigating the things under the earth and the heavenly things, and by making the weaker the stronger and by teaching others these things" (Plato, 19b;c). This is the charge of the "old" accusers. It is seen from an example in "The Clouds". Strepsiades goes to Socrates in order to learn how to pursuade his son by "making the weaker speech the stronger" (Aristophanes, 112). Why does Socrates remind the assembly about the old accusers? It appears improper for a man on trial to bring about his other 'crimes'. Aristophanes, in particular, is implicated by Socrates as an old accuser. "For you yourselves used to see these things i n the comedy of Aristophanes" (Plato, 19c). The poets helped to shape Greek culture. Poetry was passed on and perpetuated the city where thought constantly changed. Philosphy begins in debunking what the city thinks they know in order to refute the god. It is evident that Socrates is not guided by the gods of the city. Socrates says "it is not part of the same man to believe in daimonian and divine things" (Plato, 27e). Socrates is subtly admitting his guilt. Perhaps Socrates believs in gods, but if so, they are not the gods of the city. Socrates simply denies that he has had any part in celestial or subterranean inquiry - he simply speaks "elsewhere". Socrates goes on to say that those who do are reported to be atheists. However, Socrates says that "Zeus does not eveeen exist" (Aristophanes, 367). Socrates replaces Zeus with nature, the permanent and necessary things accessable to reason. This is an outrage to any Athenian. To deny the gods is to deny faith and ultim ately the authoritarian opinions on which their politics is based. Why does Socrates think that he is being unjustly punished? Chaerophon had told Socrates that the Pythian Oracle had said that Socrates was the wisest man. Socrates admits that "I am conscious that I am not wise, either much or little" (Plato, 20b). Socrates wonders what the riddle is and sets out to "refute the divination" (Plato, 20c). This is a prime example of Socrates' impiousness as is his statement in "The Clouds" where he states "we don't credit Gods" (Aristophanes, 248). He is attempting to refute the god at Delphi. Socrates tries to aid his own defense by charging that what he does is in devotion to the god. "Even now I still go around seeking and investigating in accordance with the god" (Plato, 23b). Socrates makes this brash statement yet it is unfounded and untrue because it is not a devine order for Socrates to pursue this line of investigation. In opposition, Socrates asserts that the da imonian did not oppose him. Socrates' impiety is not the only thing that resulted in histrial. Socrates was "the gadfly" stinging the city of Athens. When Socrates proposes that the god sent him on his quest, he set out to prove it wrong. In

With reference to Sociobiology essays

With reference to Sociobiology essays A common thought that runs through the social sciences is that there is no such thing as human nature, but that if there is, it plays such a miniscule role in our daily lives that it can be all together forgotten about (Archer, 1996). Archer (1996) goes on to say that human behavior can be understood in terms of social roles and socialization, that is to say that our behavior is simply a reaction to our environment, social roles (for example mother, father, teacher) and our socialization or culture. However sociobiology and later evolutionary psychology came about in opposition to this theory. Sociobiology and took a more biological route claiming that behavior of both humans and animals are due to biological and evolutionary factors. It is mostly interested in the evolution of physical structures. (Archer, 1996). Evolutionary psychology differed from the genetic control orientated sociobiology by stating that behavior was due to current psychological mechanisms and our ability to respond. Evolutionary psychology is more interested in the evolution of behavior. (Archer, 1996). This essay will focus on sociobiology and evolutionary psychology and their principles regarding human nature and behavior. Before we explore sociobiology and evolutionary psychology we must clearly understand exactly what human nature is. There is no cut and dry definition, but rather nature can be understood in this context as human behavior and interaction and culture (Smille, 1985). The age old question that sociobiology and evolutionary psychology attempt to answer is are humans born with their nature or do humans make their nature? That is to say that humans are born pre-programmed with how to behave and so on, or are they active agents in forming, molding and changing their behavior day to day? Masters (1985) explains that sociobiology and part of evolutionary psychology (also known as the modern Darwinists) consists of five levels. T...

Energy needs in Australia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Energy needs in Australia - Research Paper Example At the same time, there is the issue of the global climate change and its effects on the environment. These factors are likely to affect the economic activity, as well as reduce the available revenue. Also, Australia’s population is expected to be about 35.9 million people by the year 2050. This directly translates to higher energy needs. Therefore, a comprehensive research is necessary in order to determine the energy needs that Australia has and how they can be sustained in the future. B. Significance of the Study Australia is a modern technological society. This means that the country makes a considerable use of energy in order to make the lives of its citizens better and more enjoyable. With a growing population, the use of energy will also increase. The growing populations also have to live better and enjoyable lives. Most people have been dependent on oil and other fossil fuels. However, these are energy resources that will be depleted at some point or the other. Therefo re, addressing the energy needs in Australia helps in developing ways, solutions, and policies that will enable Australia to meet its future energy needs. This study is significant in providing a clear picture of the energy situation in Australia, as well as the expected energy consumption in the near future. These details are important in developing both short term and long term measures to meet the energy needs in Australia. C. Research Hypotheses Australia’s energy consumption will increase significantly in the next 10 to 20 years. Also, this increase in energy consumption will be confronted by a pressing need to decrease greenhouse emissions and reduce climate change. Australia’s energy needs will also have to move away from the polluting and diminishing... Several studies have been conducted regarding the situation of energy in various parts of the world. These studies are aimed at adopting measures that are likely to ensure energy security, as well as sustainable development. In addressing future energy needs, it is difficult to separate energy and sustainable development. This is because countries are working towards reducing carbon emissions. This means shifting focus from the burning of hydrocarbons in fossil fuels to the much cleaner renewable and more efficient sustainable sources of energy. This section seeks to perform a review of literature on previous research.In his book Our Energy Future, Justin Healey samples some facts regarding energy in Australia and the world over. According to Healey, Australia’s total energy consumption has more than doubled over the past thirty years. He also notes that the consumption of energy per person has risen by about 40 percent. Australia ushered in the 21st century as one of the worl d’s leading economies. The country has recorded high labor and general productivity, sustained economic growth, and a strong environmental record. These aspects have ensured the continued prosperity for the country. The energy sector has been a key player in this success. It is through the development of the vast energy resources that Australia boasts of, that citizens have access too low-cost energy. It has also attracted a considerable export income. An effective response to global and domestic environmental issues.