ideas of socretes
3 short answer questions. paragraph for each.
1. Socrates was in some ways an elitist. Participation and the ability to vote should be based on education, having the training to utilize reason and logic to question suppositions that underlie a position and identifying if it is false or true. Do you buy his argument? Explain why or why not. Do we need training in logic and reasoning to identify faulty reasoning. An example would be the use of the word all. I recently had some one tell me that all politicians are dishonest. If i know of one politician that is honest, then the statement can not be true. It is an overgeneralization. Could a person who has not been trained in using logic and identifying flaws in a reasoning process be equally able to participate in a dialogue and arrive at what is true? There are many people who believe stereotypes. As children we are often taught to believe stereotypes based on our culture. Think of some of your early ideas about teachers, doctors, nurses, firemen, lawyers and other professions as well as people of other races or cultures.
2. In an election there often are false narratives on Facebook and TV ads that contain information that is not true. There is stereotyping just as there was in Hitler’s time. Visual images are used to manipulate us. Socrates said “I know nothing.” It is because of that idea that he was constantly questioning and looking for truth. He did it in person. Today we have arguments being made through oversimplification of information, as well as visual images that present a conclusion that is not always based on reality. How would his concept of ” I know nothing” work in making a decision regarding who your elected representative at any level of government should be today? You are not just attending a debate as in Athenian democracy and asking questions. You are being presented arguments on a multi-dimensional level. How would you go about identifying what is true and what is false today with multidimensional arguments being presented by candidates?
3. Socrates argued that it is worse to commit an injustice than to receive an injustice. Is it worse to lie to someone than to be lied to? Explain your reasoning. Give an example.
