What Point Is Socrates Trying To Make By Talking About The Horse Breeders?

Socrates uses the horse breeder analogy to imply that it is impractical to assume that only one man corrupts an entire population of people. He is saying that it is most likely that one man (or a few) is the one that saves the population, and that the public is the one corrupts them.

What is Socrates point about the horse trainer quizlet?

He uses the analogy of the horses and horse-trainers to show that it would be a “happy state of affairs” if one person could corrupt youth while all the others improve them. Socrates is trying to point out that not only man could corrupt the youth.

Does Socrates compare the state of Athens to a sluggish horse?

The famous metaphor Socrates used in the apology: “as upon a great noble horse which was somewhat sluggish because of its size and needed to be stirred up by a kind of gadfly.” He is comparing himself to a gadfly and the state of Athens to a sluggish horse, his presence may be irritating but with his constant buzzing

How does Socrates respond to the charge that he is corrupting the youth?

With respect to the first charge, corrupting the youth, Socrates defends himself by getting Meletus to admit that the whole of Athens—everyone in the city-state—improves the youth with the exception of Socrates, which is their sole corrupter.

What was Socrates charged with and what did he respond to his accusers from Plato’s Apology?

Plato’s The Apology is an account of the speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates’ speech, however, is by no means an “apology” in our modern understanding of the word.

What is Socrates two part argument that death is not to be feared?

1. Death should be feared only if it is known to be bad. 2. Neither he nor anyone else knows that death is bad.

What does Socrates say he would do if he was told that he would be allowed to be let go on the condition of no longer practicing philosophy?

Socrates goes further to suggest that if the court were to acquit him only on the condition that he give up philosophizing, he would refuse their offer, choosing to die rather than to abandon his duty to Apollo.

What was Socrates main message?

Socrates found that his fellow citizens cared more for wealth, reputation, and their bodies while neglecting their souls (Apology 29d-30b). He believed that his mission from the god was to examine his fellow citizens and persuade them that the most important good for a human being was the health of the soul.

What was the purpose of Socrates teaching?

Developed by the Greek philosopher, Socrates, the Socratic Method is a dialogue between teacher and students, instigated by the continual probing questions of the teacher, in a concerted effort to explore the underlying beliefs that shape the students views and opinions.

What does Socrates say about horses?

Socrates’ argument is based on an analogy with horse trainers, with Socrates claiming that the ability to improve horses lies with a few (viz., horse trainers) whereas “most people, if they have to do with horses and make use of them, do them harm”. (25b).

What is the allegory of the gadfly and the horse about how does Socrates himself fit in this allegory what is it meant to illustrate for Socrates?

Socrates uses the gadfly and the noble steed as a metaphor for his purpose among the people of Athens. This noble steed, that is the state of Athens, is the embodiment of raw power and beauty. If left to simply walk about a pasture, this steed’s power will not be seen or put to use.

Why was Socrates compared to a horsefly such as a gadfly?

The term “gadfly” (Greek: μύωψ, mýops) was used by Plato in the Apology to describe Socrates’ acting as an uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene, like a spur or biting fly arousing a sluggish horse.

What was Socrates corrupting the youth with?

The corruption charge, said Socrates in his defense, was because by questioning people in public, he embarrassed them, and they, in turn, accused him of corrupting the youth of Athens by the use of sophistry.

What was Socrates defense for corrupting the youth?

Socrates professes ignorance: he states that he knows nothing so how could he possibly teach the young people anything? If somehow a young person were corrupted, then the corruption was unintentional.

What is the main point of Plato’s Apology?

Specifically, the Apology of Socrates is a defence against the charges of “corrupting the youth” and “not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel” to Athens (24b).

What were the two charges against Socrates that he says were made by his first accusers long before his trial?

The affidavit sworn out by Meletus made two related charges against Socrates: “refusing to acknowledge the gods recognized by the State and of introducing new and different gods” and “corrupting the youth.”

What are the major charges against Socrates and who has accused him apology?

The trial of Socrates (399 BC) was held to determine the philosopher’s guilt of two charges: asebeia (impiety) against the pantheon of Athens, and corruption of the youth of the city-state; the accusers cited two impious acts by Socrates: “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new

Why is the apology of Socrates important?

Apology of Socrates is one of the most important writing that is received from Ancient Classical Greek and it gives us inspired signs and ideas about early modern period of philosophy and history of humanity. The text had written by Plato, who came from aristocrat family and was one of the students of Socrates.

What does the white horse represent Plato?

The white horse is a nod toward Plato’s allegory of the tripartite soul in the Phaedrus in which that horse represents the purity and reason which draws the soul, unbidden without whip or goad, toward the divine [Drake, Dowden].

What does the black horse represent Plato?

The chariot, charioteer, and white and dark horses symbolize the soul, and its three main components. The Charioteer represents man’s Reason, the dark horse his appetites, and the white horse his thumos.

What is the moral of the short story gadfly?

Plato in his Apology for the life of Socrates reminds us that all societies need a “gadfly” to sting the “steed” of state into acknowledging its proper duties and obligations: I am the gadfly of the Athenian people, given to them by God, and they will never have another, if they kill me.