Sunday, April 25, 2010

What are some questions you would ask Socrates right before his death?

Socrates was one of the wisest men to ever live. Sadly, he was convicted of political crimes by men who did not like him, so he was forced to commit suicide. The account of Socrates' trial and death is detailed in Plato's Apology, PhaedoCrito, and Euthyphro. There are many questions I would liked to have asked Socrates had I been able to meet him.


First, I would ask him why he would submit to an unjust sentence. Socrates answered similar questions when his followers attempted to help him escape, but I would like to press the point which St. Augustine would later make, which is that "an unjust law is no law at all." Second, I would ask Socrates to share the key to living a life of wisdom. Finally, I would ask him to share insights which would help me become better at asking good questions.

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