Links to Socrates and Plato

Plato's Apology of Socrates

Sonntag & Stall
Rhodes & Mavhurume

Sivixay & Reichwein
Morales-Romo & Stephenson

Plato's Republic

Lizada & Mahoney
McLean & Bondari

Lynch & O'Leary
Lewis & Knickerbocker

Harrison & Farrell
Higgins & Docster

Deragon & Curtis
Harvey & D'Amore

Jeanette Miraliga -- 02

I sit back with my cup of tea and my purse snuggled up to my side, and take a deep breath.  I’m going home.  What a weird concept to think about, it’s been so long.  The train I’m taking reminds me of the days when Duke Ellington traveled in his own railroad car, and a gentleman should be waiting at Grande Central Station for my arrival with a dozen roses wrapped in dingy green cellophane from the corner store.  As I daydream of the days when life was simple, I fall hard into a dreamless sleep.

“Next stop-Hades!” screamed the train operator as I shook of the sleep that over came me.  In my state of just awoken confusion, I get off the train and step onto the platform.  And before I get the chance to turn around and get back on the train, someone grabs my hand and sits me down.  Please don’t be Jehovah’s witnesses, please, please.  I’m not in the mood. When I focus on who’s in front of me I am taken by surprise.  Instead of a suit and tie, here is this man in what reminds me of trashy college toga parties.  Where the hell am I?

“Just the place” he answers.  “Welcome to Hades.  I suppose you aren’t from here by the looks of you.  Tell me, what god do you worship?”  Oh great, this is one messed up Jehovah’s Witness.  I think he’s frustrated with my silence.  “Don’t think the world revolves around you, child.  There is much out there, and until you realize how you fit into it, you are worthless.”  Whoa, very Fight Club-ish.  I don’t know what to say.  “You are here for the soul purpose of entertaining the gods.  Know that, and know your place.”  And with that, he walked away.

“That was Homer.” I looked up from my nervous hand wringing into the eyes of a young man, also sporting the toga.  I’m catching on to the style here.  “The name is Solon, nice to meet you”, extending his hand, warmly.  “Don’t worry about him.  Some of like to say that he has developed a inferiority complex.  The gods do the same bad stuff as we, but Homer is caught up that they are still superior.”

“You don’t believe in the gods?”  I asked surprised.

“Oh oh, don’t be silly.  I do.  Zeus is the ultimate creator and destroyer.  One needs to understand that every action they make, Zeus sees.  And every action they make has a consequence.  And every action’s consequence is not personal, but rather affecting the entire community, and ultimately, the entire cosmos. And watch out, when evil starts, it spreads like wildfire. And don’t think you are above this theory.  If you don’t receive punishment for all your mis-doings, your children will. And your children’s children, And your children’s children’s childr-“

“-Uh, thanks.  I appreciate the advice.”  Wow.  People are very self-assured in their views down here in Hades, huh?  He was good looking, but a little too hardcore for me.  I start walking down the street, wondering when I will run into the white rabbit and the trippy caterpillar.  And that’s when I see one of the most hideous men.  Don’t look, mom taught us it’s rude to stare.  Uh oh, he caught me.

“You wonder why I look like this?  Those damn dogs!  It’s all a hoax!”  I figure maybe now’s the time to ask a few questions.

“ Sir, I don’t mean to be nosey, but what’s a hoax?”

“I wrote and wrote and wrote.  I was ‘too young’ they told me.  I was ‘too depressing’ the critics said.  And they let those dogs loose and then they published my works, and made millions!”  Memories of freshman year philosophy came back to me.  Homer… Solon…

“Euripides!  The youngest of the three great tragic poets!” 

“So they got you too.  Tell me girl, do you write?”

“I try.”

“Well, you better watch out.  They’ll tell you you’re not good enough, then the moment you die your journal will be the top seller, and they’ll be profiting.  When I was alive, all they did was parody me.  Now I’m dead and you recognize me as the third great poet.  Hhhmmpppfffff.  What a waste that life wa-“

“-Hahaha.  Euripides, don’t depress the kid. Life’s about living.  And making fun of you.”  He looks at me, “Aristophanes, the name.  Comedy, the game.”

“What sorts of comedy?”

“You know, the usual, poke fun at society and political life.  My favorite though, is this one here, it really gets him”, elbowing Euripides in the ribs.

“So sort of like The Simpsons.  You need to be in tune politically and socially to grasp the humor”, I commented.

“Exactly!  But who is this ‘Simpson’ fellow?”  Just then a man spoke up.

“Aristophanes. Always joking.  You are ignorant!  All this joy is useless.  The only way a man can grasp understanding is through pain and suffering.   Do not over step the boundaries of morality.  We have a role in society, and the gods will enforce it. “  Mmm, I think him and Homer might have talked before.  This Zeus character is sounding not too friendly… I recognize this rational from freshman year again, though... Aeschylus! All of this is becoming a little much to handle, so I excuse myself and start walking again.  Before I have the chance to think, I run into another man.  Quite the character.  I’m starting to feel like Alice. 

“Why, hello”, I say, almost scared what to expect next.

“Precision is def….mumble, mumble”

“Excuse me?” I say to the mumbling man in front of me.

“Ah!  Young woman!  Precision in definition!  That’s what I’m trying to say!  We need clarify our speech using proper categories.  Go ahead and ask me a question, so I can categorize it!”

“Do you think Zeus is an enforcer, like Aeschylus does?”

The man answers me quite abruptly, “First off, category: gods.  Second, Zeus smoocsh!  I don’t even believe in Zeus!” Oh man, I hope Aeschylus doesn’t hear this.  The man’s heart would stop.

“Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, who are you?”

“Soldier turned politician, intellectual, philosopher of life. Socrates at your service.”  Ha!  I should’ve remembered this one from class.

“I know you!  You rode in the basket.”

“Ahhh, quite a dreadful play if you ask me. But yes, that basket allowed me to rise above natural thought both mentally and in the physical realm.  Would you care to take a ride in it?”  Tempting.  My mother always told me never to ride with strangers.  But she also always told me to separate the lights and darks when I wash clothes, and I don’t do that either.

“Sure”, I state.  We’re in the clouds, above the town looking at the people that have become ants. 

“Girl,” Socrates starts, “Do you know why I can be so high in this basket?  It’s because I am aware of my ignorance.  And that, my friend, is what other philosophers lack.  They think they have found truth, when in fact, truth might not even exist. There is no meaning for our actions.  There is no real oracle.  Once we can separate mind from body, we just might have the possibility to find truth in this dreadful world.”

“Pardon, Socrates, don’t you think maybe our mind and body are one because if not, why would they be so interrelated?”  This starts a fit of mumbles from ‘ole Socrates.  He is still in his own world contemplating this idea when we land on the ground.  Not to distract him, I slip out of sight and continue my venture.  I catch a glimpse of hair.  A woman?  What a surprise!  When I finally catch up to her however, and look into her eyes, it’s no surprise who I am talking to.

“Hello beautiful girl, the fire burns strong in your hands where they enflame to your eyes.”

“Hello, Sappho.”  She does not seem phased that I know her name.  “I have met some interesting people today, do you know any of them?”

“I’m afraid we all know each other here in Hades.  It’s quite a close nit community, but those men and I still do not seem to meet eye to eye ever.  Them, dead!  And still holding honor and gods above all.  Except that Socrates character, but really, he’s a different story…Eros, my sweet girl, is much more powerful than thumos.  Never forget that.  And don’t be a fool like our friend Socrates.  Write your ideas down—for poets will be preserved forever in literature.”

She is beautiful, and when she continues to walk down the road, I use every bit of strength I have to restrain myself from running after her.  As I’m sitting here, with a lost look in my eye, another man walks right up to me and sits down.  “You can’t be with her forever.  People change, things change.  And if you are to see her again, you need patience.”  I know you.  What is this guy’s name?

“Heraclitus”, as he extends his hand, “great to meet you.  Or at least meet the you of right now.  I shall meet you again in the future and see how you’ve grown and changed.”  I knew it.  Heraclitus.  I did my paper on him way back when.  He is so paradoxical, let me ask him a question and see if it’s true.  Because you know, people change, and he could be different.  Ha.  I crack myself up…

“Heraclitus, this river right here, if I step in it now will it still be the same river tomorrow?”

“Of course not!! Everything, and I mean everything, is in a constant state of flux.  There is a huge difference between appearance and reality, that many people cannot distinguish.  And opposites!  They’re the same entity, just in change!”

“I understand what you’re saying.  So how does this theory affect your religious beliefs?” Please don’t be a scary Zeus maniac like the other guys.

“If our god is the god when good happens, then it has to be the same god when evil occurs.  He is the god of both.”

“So back to the change idea, there is no unity then?”

“Mmm, not quite.  Unity is based on the concept of the entire universe being in flux.  The only constant here is change. Take this flower.  Tomorrow, it will technically be the ‘same’ flower, but in all reality, it will not be, because it will start to decompose and will be much different than today.” And with that, he leans forward and tucks a small yellow flower behind my ear, turns, and walks down the road. 

“All aboard!”  Oh man, I can’t miss that train.  I run and jump onto the platform as it starts to slowly pull away, and I sit down in my seat.  Exhausted, I start to fall asleep again.  The white rabbit finally shows up, and asks me what I thought of the day and the theories.  Well, rabbit, I was glad Homer was not a Jehovah’s Witness.  I liked his idea that we are apart of the “big picture”.  This theory though, seemed to have been questioned with Solon’s idea that the community takes the consequences for your actions.  That seems a little self-centered compared to Homer.  It fits however,  with my idea of Karma and the Cosmos.  Euripedes seemed a little depressed, and he reminds me of Emily Dickenson in many ways-becoming famous after they pass on.  But honestly, white rabbit, I have no desire to be famous and well known.  But it would be nice for a few people to remember me, so I’ll take Sappho’s advice of writing down my thoughts.  And love.  All you need is love.  Aristophanes was funny to be around, and I agree with him we can’t take life too seriously.  Aeschylus, however, went on about pain and suffering leading to understanding.  As much as I want this to be false, it’s not.  I have learned much about life and myself through the consequences of my own actions, or the actions of others.  I think he’s down to earth, but we shouldn’t go searching for pain.  Socrates.  Haha.  Socrates is a nutcase.  But real nice.  And I agree with him that man cannot truly learn until they have realized and accepted that they are ignorant.  Heraclitus is right.  This flower will not be the same tomorrow as it was today.  Change really is the only constant.  But Sappho, there was just something about her.  Theories and ideas are great, but nothing, in my eyes, compares to love, including philosophy itself.  So rabbit what do you think?  “Final destination!”  What rabbit?  Final what?  “Final destination!”  I shake off sleep once again and realize that the conductor is calling.  “Final destination!”  Rubbing my eyes, I realize that my dream was a dream inside a dream. None of this was real.  A little let down, I grab my purse and my suitcase, and step onto the platform for real this time.  I quickly spot my family waving at me.  It’s so weird to be back here again.  I give my family a hug, and as we walk to the car, my dream slowly fading with the excitement of the holidays, my mom asks, “Where’d you get that flower in your hair?”

Morgan Mander - 02

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Morgan and I am a magazine journalist. write for FLIE, the magazine that helps put your life in order. “Hello,” this is your pilot speaking, “I want to take the time to welcome you to Hades.  Upon disembarking you will find yourself in the company of some great minds of Ancient Greece.  You happen to be in luck, each of these great intellectuals will be holding sessions and offering to you their preeminent wisdom.  After your encounters, you should be able to return to Earth with the utmost intelligence and advice.  Each one can offer you superior guidance on how to conduct your life.“  Sorry for the interruption, but I guess he explained the reasons for my travels to the Underworld.  I am going to introduce you to eight of the greatest minds that lived in Ancient Greece.  Each of these intellectuals will give you ideas on how to put your life in order and be successful in life. 

Wow, that was a long and difficult flight! Lucky for you, you do not have to fly to Hades or take the Classical World View class in order to receive the utmost knowledge from these minds.  All you have to do is read my article and you can be introduced to great men like Mr. Homer, the author of the Iliad. Homer, I am here to write an article to help mortals put their lives in order.  What are your opinions for successful mortal behavior?  “First off, Gods always have been and will be the superior being.  Mortals are only sketches on the complicated shield of life.  The world revolves, but not around them.  Mortals must also realize that the Gods are not dependable and that they must look to themselves for a solution and success. What one achieves in life take a greater importance. Stand firm in yourself and encourage others, your own desires cannot dominate the interest of the community.   For example, Hector’s desire for glory comes at the expense of his family and home, as quoted by his wife, Andromache.  On the other hand, mortals should try to be like Achilles and fulfill their own desires to be a hero. I also think virtue and wisdom, like Nestor’s, has an equal honor to war.  The Iliad analyzed the destructive effects of the warrior code on humans and society.  It was able to demonstrate the failure of it as a basis for civil society.  Another point for mortals to remember, is they can not always expect the best situations, life is dealt with good and bad things and some things are all bad, but rarely, if ever is life given an entire “good jar.”  In conclusion, mortals must remember to strive to be a hero for others, not entirely themselves.  There is a bigger picture on Earth, and they cannot be the entire painting.”  Thank you, Homer for you perspective. 

Oh look; here comes the only woman in Hades that we will have a chance to meet, her name is Sappho.  She was a lyric poet who made great strides for women.  Lets have a discussion with Sappho about her thoughts of accomplishments in life.  Sappho, what do you perceive to be the most important advice you could give mortals back on Earth? “ Well, after reading my lyric poetry, I think it is evident that I am a firm believer in strong emotions.  I am strong devotee to love and passion.  Love is stronger than anger.  Neither war nor wealth gain advantages, love is the supreme object that has authority.   I also place a intense emphasis on friendships.  I always enjoyed the company of the young women who studied poetry with me on Lesbos. I offer you this, love with passion and it will be all the strength you need.”  Oh, what pleasant advice you offer my readers.  Thanks Sappho.

Our next instructor is Solon.  In order for you to understand his philosophy a little better, allow me to give you some quick background information on his poet.  Solon was a rule maker and helped set the stage for democracy in Athens.  He involvement was very influential to politics and religion.  Here he comes, let’s ask him about his ideas on equality for all and repercussions of sin.  Solon, you were a great supporter of democracy and the common person’s rights, could you tell us your views on the conduction of a notable life?  “Sure.  If one seeks wealth from their desires and/or violence, I think those actions should be punished.  The sinner should also experience recoil.  Small sins swell and eventually rupture.  The rupture affects the whole community.  Evil actions are like a wildfire and will spread until the almighty and power authority comes like a destructive hurricane and cleanses the land.  Negative actions are like pollution that spread to you and your family if left without action. One’s moral character will be remembered long after their material items are gone.  In conclusion, the most beneficial advice I can offer is simply this, money changes people, but virtue sticks with you.  Strive to be honorable in all that you do, and you will achieve success. ”  Thanks Solon, hopefully my readers will life sinless lives after taking your advice. 

Now we are going to meet with the tragic poet, Aeschylus, who wrote Agamemnon and Prometheus Bound.   His main topics were based on crime and its punishments.  His philosophy examines human behavior and their motives. Here he is. Aeschylus, I want to know how you can relate “Apollo’s creed” to human’s actions.  “I do not want you take offense at what I am going to say, but humans are basically ignorant and stupid when it comes to matters of importance.  Humans usually do not simply grasp understanding as a whole.  It is only through much suffering, pain and memories that they begin to gain understanding. It is also important for mortals to remember that they are the central roles in the universe, but the Divine is the enforcer.  No one is above the Divine, and it is impossible to escape the Divine wrath.  If your actions are worth punishing, you will receive a punishment.  Take Agamemnon for example, his pride and greed eventually led to his demise.  Mortals lack moral fortitude and are often consumed by greed and ambition.  I offer the advice to gain understanding through the suffering that has moral purpose.  Once one has gained this valuable understanding, they are less likely to commit selfish crime and face harsh punishments.”  Thank you Aeschylus for your valuable incites. 

Next, we will meet with Euripides, the tragic poet and author of Hippolytus.  Euripides was a pacifist, a free thinker and a humanitarian.  Euripides, what is the best advice you can offer a mortal on how to live their life? “ Well, I am a lover of truth and I would advise on to confront person issues.  For example, my play Hippolytus, explored the human spirit when one attempts to deny natural lie-forces and emotions. It is also important to not become caught up in violence that may overshadow a situation.  Although my outlook is not always one of optimism, I think it is important to emphasize the uncertainty of life. It is extremely important for mortals to be expecting the unexpected.”  Well Euripides, I am sure my readers will accept your advice.

The next Greek we are going to meet is Aristophanes, the author of the satirical play, Clouds.   Aristophanes used this play to show his displeasure towards philosophers, especially Socrates.  He used satire to add comedy to his disapproval and prove his point.  Aristophanes, how do you feel about rhetoric and how does it apply to modern mortals?  “Well, my opinions and advice can be taken from Clouds.  I think it is important for mortals to develop their own thoughts and not be swayed by words.  The most powerful argument is that which twists your words to its own cause.  Philosophy is seen, as always right, I was able to contradict this statement by allowing Wrong to win the argument.  If all philosophy were always right, Wrong would have never won.  Thus, I want to stress the importance of mortals realizing that they have to stand firm in their own thoughts.  Socrates was able to offer arguments that appeared solid, but were in fact like clouds, gaseous and intangible.  I offer mortals this; do not let the words of persuasion influence you in any way in which you have no belief. “ Thank you Aristophanes, I hope this advice helps to keep moral’s thoughts and lives solid.  

This next man is Socrates.  Socrates, what is your view on the examined life? Should one become involved with deeper intellect? “Absolutely. I would like to make it clear to the mortals that the unexamined life is not worth living. The purpose of life is to gain knowledge of one’s true self-identity.  Understanding of the soul is the seed of consciousness and moral character.   Philosophy is necessary and the proper pursuit for all intelligent beings.  One must become aware of his/her own ignorance in order to gain knowledge.  Virtue, justice and piety are also issues of necessary discussion.   The essences of all forms lead to the highest form that is the highest qualities.  Having virtue and knowledge, allows man to never knowingly do wrong.  Virtue and knowledge are identical and thus virtue can be taught.   The greatest advice I can give to mortals involving their lives is to live by their own principles at all cost.  I was willing and did die for my philosophy.  If it is not worth fighting or dying for, its not worthy of being your philosophy.”  Wow! Socrates you are a brilliant man, I am sure the mortals back on Earth will greatly benefit from your views.  Thanks.

Our last discussion will be with the pre-Socratic philosopher, Heraclitus.  He is known for his theory of flux, unity of opposites and the significance of the logos.  Heraclitus, how do these philosophies of yours relate to the modern mortal and how can improve their lives by them.  “ I believe a modern mortal’s life can be greatly improved if they remove themselves from their selfish views and see the larger picture of reality.  They have to be in touch with the logos, which allows them see how things came to be.  The logos is also a community sharing, it is not a journey of one man alone.  Mortals have to realize that what they see is not always what is.  They have to learn to differentiate between appearance and reality.  Flux and unity is stability and the basis of everything.  Nothing is ever the same because nothing last longer than an instance.  They also need not to worry about conflicts because they are essential.  Strife is normal and all things come to pass.  The ideal guidance I can offer is this, let yourself by guided by what is common to all and create a balance with each other.  You can only learn so much by experiencing the parts; you have to have the whole to actually experience it.  The intelligent moral will look beyond himself and his self-perceived intelligence to the logos. “  Thanks Heraclitus.  I hope this advice last longer than an instant and allows mortals to help conduct their life.  We have meet with eight great intellectuals and each has given us valuable information that will allow all readers to conduct their lives in a productive manner.  This will also help them span their horizons and gain new incites.  Look for the January 2003 issue of FLIE on your grocer’s shelves.  It just might keep you out of “hell and high-water.”