Oedipus And Socrates Essay

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In Plato’s Five Dialogues and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, man’s actions for

the greater good of the city-state can lead to horrible consequences for the

individual. Both Socrates and Oedipus carry out what they believe to be their

duty for their city. Socrates believes that his actions are just and proper, but

when viewed by the city-state as a whole his actions are looked at as

counter-productive and ill advised to the youth of the society. Oedipus on the

other hand hasn’t done anything to harm his people. Following his decision

making regarding the murder of his father, he ends up as an enemy of the state,

because he has become an enemy to himself. Both having to suffer the

consequences for their actions, they remain to uphold their loyalty to their

respective city-states. Being one of the greatest thinkers in history, Socrates

tried to spread his wisdom by supporting the greater good of the city-state, the

youth. When questioning Meletus, Socrates tries to justify his expansion of

education by referring to horses. Do “all men improve them and one individual

corrupts them? Or is quite the contrary true, one individual is able to improve

them, or very few, namely horse breeders, whereas the majority, if they have

horses and use them, corrupt them?” (Plato 30). Is it possible for one man to

work and corrupt all the youth? Is it possible for one man to even reach all of

society’s youth? It can clearly be established that the teachings of one man

cannot harm the city, but only make people greater. There are even more examples

of Socrates upholding his beliefs for nothing more then the benefit of the city.

While serving as a member of the Council, during the investigation of the ten

naval generals, Socrates was the only dissenting member “of the presiding

committee to oppose your [the council] doing something contrary to the laws”

(Plato 36). For acting in this licit manner he was ready to be prosecuted by the

council and accept his consequences. It can easily be seen that Socrates was

never looked at as an equal. To make matters only worse, when tried by Meletus

his belief in the gods was raised. Meletus brought up the point that Socrates

did not believe in gods at all. Although Socrates never completely answers

Meletus’ question he does justify his beliefs. Socrates never directly states

that he believes in gods, but he does say that “ he believes in divine

beings” and “if divine beings are gods” then he must believe in the gods

themselves (Plato 32). Another point that Meletus failed to recognize is that

Socrates belief in these divine beings motivated his actions and teachings. For

Socrates believed that his reason for being put on this planet was to serve as

an instrument of the gods and broaden the understanding of knowledge. If indeed

Socrates was corrupting the youth then “be sure that this is what the god

orders [him] to do” (Plato 35). Socrates had no choice in the life he was

leading, because “he was attached to the city by the god” and “there is no

greater blessing for the city than [his] service to the god” (Plato 35).

Following the decision to send Socrates to his death, he is not at all upset or

surprised at the 501-member jury’s decision. Remaining calm in the manner that

Socrates is so well regarded, he is still able to pay respect for his city.

While being visited in prison by his “old and faithful friend, Crito” Crito

proposes the possibility of Socrates’ escape from prison (Plato 45). Whether

it would have been better for Socrates to escape or nor, he raises the point

“that one must obey the commands of one’s city and country” thus making

the ultimate sacrifice to...

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