Ethics as a Conduct of Life by Using the Socrates Case Paper Example

Ethics refer to the particular norms by which one can measure both acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Socrates, a historical philosopher, inspired the first efforts that aim at thinking about the moral life in a way that the life was a continuation of history (Rogers 117). Socrates notes that ethics are developed through maturity, wisdom, and love. Additionally, he notes that virtue is found in man-to-man relationships, friendship and love and not necessarily through the love for material things. By noting this, his beliefs can be seen as the contrary of the people around him including other philosophers and scholars. Philosophers before Socrates focused more on fundamental questions regarding the nature of the universe. He always challenged philosophy with queries related to the way of living, the righteous actions to be performed by people, and the association and relationship between different people in a community or society. This is valid as there could be an advance in human knowledge and understanding, even though it is deliberations that directly changed the world. Socrates always believed in having meaningful conversations with other people regarding basic principles.

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Ethical conduct is a product of virtue. He noted that virtue was one quality of a happy person as it is only the negative people who are not aware of life's value. It is the evil people who ignore simple things hence, blaming an error. Socrates notes that the people who live happily always want more but do not prioritize on the soul, which is the carrier of virtues and vices. In addition, Socrates notes that decisions should be made in regards to the right or the wrong, either which can be attained by getting moral guidance. The focus on ethics by Socrates was meant to lead to more practical results. His view on ethics would lead to a clearer perception of change in both attitude and actions of the people. However, these views on ethics led to him being executed for crimes of corruption and impiety where he could ask the people to question their already existing norms and hence, think 'right'. The Socratic way of questioning can be seen as a spirited one in that the people who employed it could not enjoy the experience of ethics hence, making Socrates a 'troublemaker'.

The conduct of life, on the other hand, as stated by Socrates comes down to that which is not worth living, the unexamined life. Socrates was the very first philosopher to be serious in an examination of the conduct of life and hence, question the various assumptions people make in regards to conduct ("SOCRATES"). In that regard, the entire world and his followers should think of what they are about to do before they do it. By thinking, one must be drawn into the meaning of life and hence, participation in making only viable decisions, which are ethical choices. According to Cooper, Socrates proved that politicians and other people in the authority actually lacked their values as their attention was drawn to the very errors they make in their thinking (par. 3). Acting before thinking of the consequences would lead to a life which is not worth living. By thinking, one should be able to develop wisdom, which breeds virtue, and hence, later view the world better as well as make informed choices. The only thing that can lead to bad decisions is the other side of virtue, which is vice. Vice goes hand in hand with ignorance, and hence, having to know the good is a step towards virtue. It is the wrongdoings such as ignoring the basics that make people do unwanted deeds and make uninformed choices. It is not psychologically possible to have a weakness of will as wrong acts are a result of ignorance and the way that one has acted. Therefore, having a good conduct of life narrows down to rejecting the things that have been absorbed as a culture and which must be done since it has always been the routine.

Conclusion

Socrates emphasizes that the call to live examined lives tend to follow the nature of humans since man is always ruled by pleasure and pain alongside their desire for power, reputation, and wealth. We should live ethical lives even if it means talking the right thing at the right time even by interrupting discussions. Living a good life narrows down to doing the just things and leaving out those that are not in any way helpful. Socrates sometimes undermines traditional authority such as challenging conventional conceptions of virtues including justice for the good of the people. Virtue is dependent on knowledge in that it exhibits distinct forms depending on the environmental aspects such as emotions and feelings. However, He still notes that distinct virtues tend to lead to a common knowledge regarding the good and the bad, which can influence a human being. Upon enquiry of such knowledge, the various virtues that lead to a better life follow by themselves. This knowledge, however, can be acquired by thinking harder as one can improve their ideas regarding the conduct of life.

Works Cited

Columbia University. "SOCRATES." Xu Bing: Square Word Calligraphy Classroom - The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Garland Publishing, 2018, www.columbia.edu/dlc/garland/deweever/S/socrates.htm.

Cooper, John M. "Socrates (469-399 BC)." Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-a108-1.

Rogers, A. K. "The Ethics of Socrates." The Philosophical Review, vol. 34, no. 2, 1925, pp. 117-143.