Page:History of Greece Vol VIII.djvu/20

 v CONTENTS. universal application. Leading ideas which directed the scrutiny of Sokrates contrast between the special professions and the general duties of social life. Platonic dialogues discussion whether virtue is teachable. Conceit of knowledge without real knowledge universal prevalence of it. Such confident persuasion, without science, belonged at that time to astronomy and physics, as well as to the subjects of man and society it is now confined to the latter. Sokrates first lays down the idea of ethical science, comprising the appropriate ethical e'ud with theory and precepts. Earnestness with which Sokrates inculcated self examination effect of his conversation upon others. Preceptorial and positive exhortation of Sokrates chiefly brought out by Xenophon. This was not the peculiarity of Sokrates his powerful method of stirring up the analytical faculties. Negative and indirect scrutiny of Sokrates produced strong thirst, and active efforts, for the attainment of positive truth. Inductive process of scrutiny, and Baconian spirit, of Sokrates. Sokratic method tends to create minds capable of forming conclusions for themselves not to plant conclusions ready-made. Grecian dialectics their many-sided handling of subjects force of the negative arm. The subjects to which they were applied man and society essentially required such handling reason why. Real dis- tinction and variance between Sokrates and the sophists. Prodigious efficacy of Sokrates in forming new philosophical minds. General theory of Sokrates on ethics he resolved virtue into knowledge, or wisdom. This doctrine defective as stating a part for the whole. He was led to this general doctrine by the analogy of special professions. Constant reference of Sokrates to duties of practice and detail. The derivative reasonings of Sokrates were of larger range than his general doctrine. Political opinions of Sokrates. Long period during which Sokrates exercised his vocation as a public converser. Accusation against him by Meletns, Anytus, and Lykon. The real ground for surprise is, that that accusation had not been preferred before. Inevita- ble unpopularity incurred by Sokrates in his mission. It was only from the general toleration of the Athenian democracy and population, that he was allowed to go on so long. Particular circumstances which brought on the trial of Sokrates. Private offence of Anytus. Unpopularity arising to Sokrates from his connection with Kritias and Alkibiades. Enmity of the poets and rhetors to Sokrates. Indictment grounds of the accusers effects of the " Clouds " of Aristophanes, in creating prejudice against Sokrates. Accusation of corruption in teaching was partly founded on political grounds. Perversion of the poets alleged against him. Remarks of Xenophon upon these accusations. The charges touch upon the defective point of the Sokratic ethical theory. His political strictures. The verdict against Sokrates was brought upon him partly by his own concurrence. Small majority by which he was condemned. Sokrates defended himself like one who did not care to be acquitted. The " Platonic Apology." Sentiment of Sokrates about death. Effect of his defence upon the dikasts. Assertion of Xenophon that Sokrates might have been acquitted if he had chosen it. The sentence how passed in Athenian procedure. Sokrates is called upon to propose some counter-penalty against himself his behavior. Aggravation of feeling in the dikasts against him in conse- quence of his behavior. Sentence of death resolute adherence of Sokrates to his own convictions. Satisfaction of Sokrates with the sentence, on deliberate conviction. Sokrates in prison for thirty days he refuses to accept the means of escape- -his serene death. Ong