socretes philosophy
Socrates idea: people strive for happiness; happiness occurs through wisdom and finding truth. We are constantly seeking truth as to how we should live. If we know truth we have an issue acting or making decisions contrary to that truth. For Socrates that truth is held within our “soul” ( the thinking and willing subject). Our knowledge will make us humble not arrogant. Yet, it is that knowledge that produces happiness. Why? It is because there is congruency between our inner world where we know truth and the use our wisdom to choose to act in a consistent manner to the truth held within our soul. We create happiness. ( this is what you are reacting to in your paper and should be part of your introduction)
We want to live a happy life. How do we get this happy life? We use our gift of logic and reason to find truth. When we find truth we hold it within our soul.( the place within where we will our action) Then we have to live by that truth. It is living by that truth that may cause us conflict but we are happy because we have followed truth. For Socrates happiness would not be having a lot of money. He would see happiness or fulfillment coming from having acted consistently upon truth. Having a huge paycheck would be a value that comes from the world or society. In fact, he worked to supply the basics for his family. His wife hounded him to make more money and not spend so much time in the public square teaching and debating with others. He walked around barefoot and his clothes were worn. The fact that he was honest and sought truth was more important than money. In fact, Plato indicates that Socrates did not charge his students. Spending his time teaching and debating with his students had more value for instance than a large house.
Note that for Socrates I am happy because my outer world reflects my inner world of what I know to be true and I choose constantly to make decisions to act according to that truth. Happiness is connected to knowledge of truth. Ask two people to describe what they consider a happy life to be and how they would create it. What is their description? What would yours be? Are there similarities with his definition? Are there differences. How do you account for the similarities and differences?
I expect a well developed paper that follows the criteria For example:
Introduction: Socrates concept of how we create a happy life. Your position where you agree, disagree or would modify his position. Position of the two people you asked what a happy life is and how they would create it.
Body 1: Explanation of Socrates idea and application showing how it would work. For example, if Socrates found that to tell a lie is wrong because it involves denying what is true, how would he be doing his taxes during our current tax season? Would he adjust his income by undervaluing his assets and inflating his debts to reduce his taxes? Would he claim to have given money to charity that he did not give? For example claiming he gave $20 a week to his church (1,400) when he actually gave $2.00. (104).
Body 2: Do you find you agree with his definition of a happy life and how to create it. Do you disagree? Would you modify it? Explain your reasoning and give some examples for support.
Body 3: Looking at the response of the people you questioned, how are they similar or different from Socrates? How did they support their concept?
Conclusion: How would you account for the similarities and differences in what happiness is as well as how to create it?