The death of a mentor can be a life-changing event, and for Plato, it was no different.
When his teacher passed away, Plato was inspired to abandon his literary ambitions and devote himself to philosophy.
Socrates, often referred to as the father of western philosophy, had a profound impact on Plato’s life and work. But not everyone in Athens shared the same sentiment towards Socrates.
His execution in 399 BCE left a lasting impression on those who knew him, including Plato.
In this article, we’ll explore how Plato reacted to Socrates’ death and how it influenced his philosophical views.
Join us as we delve into the life and legacy of these two great thinkers.
How Did Plato React When Socrates Died
Plato was devastated by the death of his mentor, Socrates. In fact, he was so affected by the event that he abandoned his literary ambitions and devoted himself to philosophy.
Socrates’ execution had a profound impact on Plato’s life and work. He was inspired to continue Socrates’ legacy and to explore the philosophical questions that had fascinated his teacher.
Plato’s reaction to Socrates’ death is evident in his writings. He wrote extensively about Socrates and his teachings, and many of his dialogues feature Socrates as the main character.
Plato’s grief is also evident in his portrayal of Socrates’ death in the Phaedo dialogue. In this dialogue, Socrates discusses the immortality of the soul with his friends before drinking the hemlock poison that would end his life.
Plato’s reaction to Socrates’ death was not just emotional, but also intellectual. He was driven to continue Socrates’ work and to explore the philosophical questions that had fascinated him.
The Relationship Between Plato And Socrates
Plato and Socrates had a close relationship, with Plato being one of Socrates’ most devoted students. Plato’s writings are heavily influenced by Socrates’ teachings, and many of his dialogues feature Socrates as the main character.
Socrates’ execution had a significant impact on Plato, who was inspired to continue his mentor’s legacy and explore the philosophical questions that had fascinated him. Plato’s reaction to Socrates’ death is evident in his writings, which often reflect his grief and admiration for his teacher.
Plato’s relationship with Socrates is also evident in his portrayal of him in his dialogues. While some contemporaries of Plato, such as Phaedo, claimed that Plato’s dialogues misrepresented Socrates entirely and were wholly Plato’s thought, it is clear that Plato held Socrates in high regard and sought to continue his work.
The Trial And Execution Of Socrates
The trial and execution of Socrates remains one of the most controversial and dissected political executions in history. Socrates was accused of two charges: impiety against the pantheon of Athens and corrupting the youth of the city-state. His accusers cited two impious acts by Socrates: “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new deities”.
At trial, the majority of the dikasts (male-citizen jurors chosen by lot) voted to convict him of the two charges. Then, consistent with common legal practice, they voted to determine his punishment and agreed to a sentence of death to be executed by Socrates’s drinking a poisonous beverage of hemlock.
The death sentence of Socrates was the legal consequence of asking politico-philosophic questions of his students, which resulted in the two accusations of moral corruption and impiety. Primary-source accounts of the trial and execution of Socrates are the Apology of Socrates by Plato and the Apology of Socrates to the Jury by Xenophon of Athens, who had also been his student.
Socrates’ execution at Athens in 399 BCE had a profound effect on his student Plato, who was inspired by his teacher to abandon his literary ambitions as a playwright and devote himself to philosophy. Although Socrates is often referred to as ‘the father of western philosophy’, this title is more correctly applied to Plato.
Socrates’ trial has been interpreted and re-interpreted time and time again by various playwrights, historians, thinkers, philosophers, and poets through the years. In many ways, parallels have been drawn between Socrates and Jesus Christ himself. Having been martyred and dying for our sins, the death of Jesus has been exemplified as the very pivotal point of human morality – as is interpreted by the Christians.
Socrates, simultaneously, was publicly executed by the very political entity he loudly criticized. Was he killed for the sake of our own philosophical morality? Was he killed so his students could live and write in his stead and mold the very foundation of Western Civilization? While we know what happened during the trial itself thanks to Plato, the underpinnings of the event are summarized most eloquently in his Allegory of the Cave.
In it, Plato depicts society as a group of people tied up inside a cave facing the back wall. All these people can see and understand are the shadows projected onto the back wall of the cave from the sun. One day, one of them breaks free, escapes the cave, and sees the world for what it truly is – the real things rather than just shadowed projections. The freed person returns to the cave and speaks their truth but is immediately dismissed (and executed?) by the others, who claim the “truth sayer” is crazy and does not live in the real world.
Plato’s Reaction To Socrates’ Death
Plato’s reaction to Socrates’ death was one of deep sorrow and profound loss. He was devastated by the execution of his mentor and friend, who he considered to be the wisest and most just man of their time.
But Plato’s grief was not just personal. Socrates’ death had a profound impact on his philosophical work and his writing. In fact, it is believed that Socrates’ death was the catalyst that inspired Plato to abandon his literary ambitions and devote himself entirely to philosophy.
Plato’s reaction to Socrates’ death is evident in his writings, particularly in his dialogues that feature Socrates as the main character. These dialogues explore the philosophical questions that fascinated Socrates, such as the nature of knowledge, truth, and justice.
In addition to his writings, Plato’s grief is also evident in his portrayal of Socrates’ death in the Phaedo dialogue. This dialogue describes Socrates’ final moments before drinking the hemlock poison that would end his life. In this scene, Socrates discusses the immortality of the soul with his friends, providing a powerful reflection on life, death, and the afterlife.
The Influence Of Socrates On Plato’s Philosophy
Socrates’ influence on Plato’s philosophy cannot be overstated. Although Socrates himself never wrote anything, he had a profound impact on Plato’s worldview and philosophical approach. In fact, it was Socrates’ execution that inspired Plato to abandon his literary ambitions and devote himself to philosophy.
Plato’s philosophy was heavily influenced by Socrates’ emphasis on questioning and critical thinking. Like Socrates, Plato believed that true knowledge could only be attained through questioning and examining one’s beliefs. He also believed in the importance of virtue and morality, ideas that were central to Socrates’ teachings.
Plato’s dialogues, which are the primary source of information about Socrates, often feature Socrates as the main character. Through these dialogues, Plato sought to continue the work of his mentor by exploring philosophical questions and promoting critical thinking.
One of the most important ways in which Socrates influenced Plato’s philosophy was through his emphasis on the importance of the soul. In the Phaedo dialogue, Socrates discusses the immortality of the soul with his friends before his death. This conversation had a profound impact on Plato’s philosophy, as he went on to develop his own theory of Forms that emphasized the eternal nature of abstract concepts.
The Legacy Of Plato And Socrates In Western Philosophy
The legacy of Plato and Socrates in Western philosophy cannot be overstated. Socrates’ teachings and methods were the inspiration for Plato, who is widely regarded as the founder of the Western philosophical tradition. Plato, in turn, served as the teacher of Aristotle, creating the famous triad of ancient philosophers: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Socrates’ emphasis on questioning and examining everyday views and popular opinions has had a lasting impact on Western philosophy. His claim that the unexamined life is not worth living has become a cornerstone of philosophical thought.
Plato’s contributions to philosophy were also significant. He developed the theory of Forms, which posits that abstract concepts such as beauty and justice have a real existence beyond their physical manifestations. He also explored political philosophy, arguing that the ideal society would be one ruled by philosopher-kings.
Plato’s dialogues, many of which feature Socrates as the main character, have been studied and debated for centuries. They continue to influence philosophical thought and inspire new ideas.
The legacy of Plato and Socrates extends beyond philosophy. Their ideas have had a profound impact on art, literature, politics, and ethics. The Allegory of the Cave, for example, has been interpreted in countless ways and has inspired works of literature and film.
In conclusion, the legacy of Plato and Socrates in Western philosophy is immense. Their ideas and methods continue to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. The impact of their teachings can be seen in every aspect of our culture and society today.
