Socrates, Philosophy and the Good Life

Socrates' belief was that he was called on by the Gods to live his life examining others and himself. He believed the necessity of doing what one thinks is right even in the face of universal opposition, and the need to pursue knowledge even when opposed. "I became completely convinced, to the duty of leading the philosophical life by examining myself and others."¹ Socrates believed that to desert this idea was ridiculous and would make his life absurd. Socrates chose to live a life of truth and not to worry about things that did not matter. For Socrates not to live his life by the plans and requests of Gods it would be disobedient and untrue to the Gods. Socrates was brought to court to defend
Socrates states, "It is not wealth that produces goodness; rather, it is from goodness that wealth, and all other benefits for human beings."11 He believed that everyone should care for themselves and others rather than physical things that did not matter. During his trial he reminds his fellow Athenians, "I have tried to persuade each of you not to care for any of his possessions rather than care for himself, striving for the utmost excellence and understanding."12 Socrates believed that to have a "good life" you needed to have a true understanding of knowledge. Socrates strongly believed one must examine the innermost beings of one's life because "an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live."13 He tried to persuade the people of Athens to live an active life. Socrates also believes that the "good life" was to obey god and tell the truth. While defending his case, he how he could cry for forgiveness and show the court that he has two sons and he is sorry. But Socrates believed that was not true and that was against the will of god. If he were asked to remain silent and inactive while living in exile in exchange for the death penalty he could not because was not what god expected of him. He states, "Because if I you that that would mean disobeying my god, and that is why I cannot remain inactive."14 Socrates believed the "good life" to be an active life of examination, goodness, truth, and obeying the gods. While defending his case, Socrates was