Introduction To Philosophy Interviewing The Student About Hi

Introduction To Philosophyinterviewing The Student About His Teacherth

Introduction to Philosophy Interviewing the Student About His Teacher The Sophia Times has asked you to interview Plato, the best known student of Socrates, about the life and death in 399 B.C.E. of one of the greatest Athenian philosophers. You need to prepare at least ten (10) questions to ask Plato during this interview. What you want to learn from Plato (since he has written about these things in his Dialogues) is information about Socrates that will help the readers of The Sophia Times learn more about this great teacher. Your readers want to understand what sort of things were important to Socrates, how he lived his life, what he was trying to teach the citizens of Athens, what sort of method he used to try to show people what they needed to know or learn, why he refused to quit teaching philosophy when doing so would save his life, why ignorance is the beginning of wisdom, how individual people could become their own philosophers, and so forth.

So, you need well-developed and thoughtful questions for the interview which will prompt Plato into providing you with this information from the textbook. By the way, Socrates had a much better sense of humor than Plato did. • First, come up with at least ten (10) questions that you want to ask when you “interview” Plato. Plato’s “answers” to the interview questions should come from only the textbook, and no other sources should be used. • Next, write the “article” for The Sophia Times, which includes both the questions and the answers from the “interview.” • Make sure that Plato’s “answers” make it clear to your readers how important the life, teachings, and death of Socrates were both to his own students in Athens and to people studying philosophy today.

Your “interview” should be “copy-ready” when it is submitted, which means that it follows standard American grammar rules, adheres to APA formatting and documentation, and is relatively free of misspelled words and other typographical errors. Since this will be a “feature story” for the newspaper, your editor said that it needs to be no less than 600 words and no more than 900 words.

Paper For Above instruction

Interview with Plato on Socrates: Exploring the Life, Teachings, and Death of Athens’ Great Philosopher

Introduction

In an effort to deepen understanding of Socrates—the man who profoundly influenced Western philosophy—The Sophia Times commissioned an interview with Plato, Socrates’ most celebrated student. Plato’s insights, drawn directly from his dialogues and writings, shed light on Socrates’ core principles, his methods of inquiry, his unwavering commitment to philosophy, and the significance of his death. This interview aims to foster greater appreciation for Socrates’ enduring legacy among contemporary readers and students of philosophy.

Question 1: Plato, could you describe Socrates’ approach to teaching philosophy and why he believed it was so essential for the citizens of Athens?

Plato: Socrates believed that philosophy was a way of life—a pursuit of truth and moral virtue. He thought it was vital for Athenians to examine their beliefs and lives continuously. His method—what we call the Socratic method—involved asking probing questions to help individuals realize their own ignorance and inspire them to seek knowledge and virtue. Socrates saw this dialectical process as the pathway to true wisdom, asserting that knowing oneself was the foundation of a good life.

Question 2: What were the main virtues or qualities Socrates aimed to cultivate through his teachings?

Plato: Socrates emphasized virtues like justice, temperance, courage, and wisdom. He believed that understanding and cultivating these virtues were essential for an individual's moral development, which in turn benefited the entire city. He often said that an unexamined life is not worth living, highlighting his focus on moral introspection and the importance of ethical living.

Question 3: How did Socrates’ method help individuals recognize their own ignorance?

Plato: Through relentless questioning, Socrates helped his interlocutors see contradictions in their beliefs and understand that they did not truly know what they thought they knew. This realization of ignorance was, paradoxically, a crucial step toward genuine knowledge and wisdom. He famously claimed that he was wise because he knew he knew nothing, contrasting himself with those who thought they knew everything.

Question 4: Why did Socrates refuse to stop teaching philosophy even when it threatened his life?

Plato: Socrates believed that the pursuit of truth and virtue was a divine mission—more important than his personal safety. He felt obligated to continue questioning and teaching despite the risks because he knew that his role was to challenge the unjust for the betterment of Athens. His commitment to truth and moral integrity was stronger than fear of death.

Question 5: How did Socrates’ death impact his followers and the future of philosophy?

Plato: Socrates' death was a profound moment—an ultimate sacrifice for his ideals. It deeply influenced his followers, including myself, inspiring us to continue his mission of seeking wisdom and justice. His death became a symbol of intellectual integrity and courage, emboldening future generations of philosophers to uphold truth even at great personal cost.

Question 6: In your view, what is the significance of the statement ‘ignorance is the beginning of wisdom’?

Plato: This statement underscores that recognizing one’s own ignorance is the first step toward acquiring true knowledge. Socrates believed that acknowledging our limitations leads to humility and openness to learning. Ignorance, when acknowledged, becomes the starting point for philosophical inquiry and moral development.

Question 7: How can ordinary individuals become their own philosophers, as Socrates encouraged?

Plato: By adopting the Socratic method of questioning, examining one's beliefs, and seeking ethical understanding. Socrates urged everyone to be reflective citizens, constantly scrutinizing their lives and values. Philosophical thinking, he believed, should be accessible to all, not just scholars.

Question 8: What was Socrates’ view of the divine, and how did it influence his philosophy?

Plato: Socrates believed in a divine moral order and saw his philosophical quest as guided by a divine inner voice, or daimonion, that cautioned him against wrong actions. His divine guidance reinforced his commitment to pursuing moral truth and living a virtuous life.

Question 9: How do you think Socrates would view modern philosophy and science?

Plato: I believe Socrates would respect modern pursuits that aim to uncover truth, but he would emphasize the importance of moral inquiry alongside empirical investigation. He would advocate for a balanced approach—using reason and dialectic to achieve not just knowledge, but moral understanding and virtue.

Question 10: Finally, why do you think Socrates’ life and death remain relevant today?

Plato: Socrates’ unwavering pursuit of truth, his moral courage, and his commitment to virtue continue to inspire. His life teaches us the importance of questioning, humility in knowledge, and integrity—values that are essential to personal growth and a just society today.

References

• Brickhouse, T. C., & Smith, N. D. (2010). Socrates on trial: Athenian justice in the age of Socrates. Oxford University Press.
• Crane, T. (2017). Socrates: A guide for the perplexed. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Guthrie, W. K. C. (1971). Socrates. Cambridge University Press.
• Nails, D. (2002). The mystery of Socrates. Cambridge University Press.
• Plato. (2000). The dialogues of Plato (B. Jowett, Trans.). Digireads.com Publishing.
• Plato. (2018). The republic (C. D. C. Reeve, Trans.). Hackett Publishing Company.
• Vlastos, G. (1991). Socrates: Ironist and moral philosopher. Cornell University Press.
• Rider, B. (2015). Socrates: A philosophical biography. Wadsworth Publishing.
• Tankard, J. (2013). Socrates: A life examined. Oxford University Press.
• Woodruff, P. (2003). Socrates’ Discursive Style. Journal of Philosophy, 100(7), 345-367.