Dawid Nawieśniak (SSP II)
Socrates
The purpose of a state
Socrates is probably one of the most famous ancient philosophers in the world. He was born in 469 BC in Athens where he spent almost all his life until his death in 399 BC. He experienced a lot of events, very important for Greek history, including Peloponnesian war (431-404 BC) and Great Plague of Athens in 430 BC. A historical context is very important to understand how the Socratic theory of state was developed and formed. The sources which treat about Socrates and his philosophy (it's worth mentioning that Socrates didn't leave behind any research or treat which would describe foundations of his philosophy – everything what we know about that is contained in Plato's and Xenophon's writings mainly are very helpful to identify and reconstruct his theories concerning state. For example, Xenophon was fascinated by social regime of Sparta (including treaties on Sparta) and he considered this constitution (based on authority of oligarchy) to be the most effective and reasonable – he very often indirectly intimated that this is opinion based on Socrates' science and philosophy (although Socrates criticized certain aspects of oligarchy, he generally support Spartan lifestyle). Through most of his life he was regarded by his contemporaries as a controversial figure. One time, when Aristophanes staged the play The Clouds (this play ridiculed Socrates and him proponents) first time, Socrates watched it and after the spectacle ended he stood up, to let spectators get a better look on him - he like to be seen as brave person; he haven't problem to give a critical judgment of preached views. Furthermore, he glorified fundamentally values for ancient Greeks: strength, honor and beauty. After this short biographic presentation I would like to go to political thoughts proclaimed by Socrates.
According to Laertios, Socrates was the first philosopher who consider the best way of life. Moreover, he was one of the first thinkers, who took as his theme various ethical and social phenomenon and he tried to find the definitions for many extreme terms, such as love and hatred, justice and injustice, piety and impiety, wealth and poverty – he realised that universe is ruled and shaped by dualism (Plato took this point of view and adapted in early phase of his philosophy activity). What is more, Socrates had characteristic feature of conduct dispute: he prefered asking question instead of answering them, claiming to lack of knowledge, intelligence and especially wisdom concerning the subjects about he questioned others. This method was adopted by Socrates’ proponents and it was the most important feature of Socratic philosophy ridiculed by Aristophanes in play The Clouds.
Socrates created certain assumptions on political and legal theory and then it was processed by him followers. We can find a lot of information about that in Plato’s and Xenophon’s writings. First of all, he claimed that there was an order beyond a human which was objective. This order is governed and established by vis maior which is reigning over the humans. This conception correspond with the idea of: daimonion – voice of reason which should provide law and order – unfortunately, the man is a complex being, who very often subject to temptations.
What is more, Socrates created idea of government which is “guardian” of justice – which was identified by Socrates as a legality. In his point of view citizens should obey legal acts promulgated by legal government. The humans should observe rules proclaimed by state. It’s the most important to maintain the order in state. It’s worth mentioning that this issue is corresponding with the mirror theory which assumes that the human is a mirror reflecting Rights rule the world's order. Furthermore, Socrates divided legal norms into two groups: state acts and god’s norms. Both of them, should be obeyed by all citizens. In connection with this argument it worth mentioning an anecdote described in Plato’s Criton - The situation which Socrates meets with his friend, has a special character. The philosopher is waiting for a judgment after his trial. Criton visits him in prison, for a while looks at his friend, when he was still asleep. Then, trying to convince him to flee. Socrates refused this offer – he claimed that obedience to the law and the judiciary is necessary, even the sentence is unfair. Socrates believes in two principles – firstly, the humans mustn’t commit unjust. Secondly, he claimed that a man should honored the contracts, if they relate this what is fair (pacta sunt servanda).
Moreover, Socrates was opponent of democracy. He claimed that not everyone can rule because every man have various qualifications and features. It’s not good, if state will be rule by stupid and selfish people - a democracy permit it. Right decisions are based on the knowledge and wisdom, therefore this is an absurd to entrust the government of polis to the mass of ignorant people. In state exist small group of citizens who have the talent to rule. Therefore, Socrates admired political system of Sparta – strongly limited participation in government (hómoioi only) with powerful executive (5 ephoros and 2 Arkhagêtais) helped to be the leader of almost whole Greece for a certain period of time. State have to be ruled by the wisest – and in opinion of Socrates only the noblest people can guaranteed this system. According to Socrates, the best political systems are aristocracy (especially oligarchy) and monarchy.
Finally, there’s no denying that Socrates influenced on the ancient political thought. The issues which he raised to found out very important for ancient philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, Pericles, Xenophon – all of them discuss about his theory of state. They often agree with it (such a Xenophon) and sometimes more or less modified it (such a Pericles or Aristotle). Besides of this, everyone must admit that Socrates political theory was a milestone of political and legal philosophy.
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