[Opinion] Longing for Socrates

Athen`s philosopher Socrates was arrested by state authorities for the charges of spreading beliefs contrary to national ideals and corrupting the youth. The hidden reason, however, behind the arrest was the threat that he posed to the ideology and privileges of the ruling class by criticizing their outlook and awakening the youth. Socrates knew well the reasons for his arrest were unjust and that he could have easily escaped the situation by leaving Athens. Yet, he chose to stand trial because such action was contrary to the principles of his own philosophy.

Even after the death sentence was handed to him, he continued to assert that the fault lay with the nation, the decision of its judges, and those who ordered them to make the decision. He also knew his responsibilities to his wife and children better than anyone else since they would suffer after his death. He also knew that he could have fled to another nation at the behest of his disciples with the tacit consent of the authorities and without marring his conscience. But he held to his principle that his official duty to the law of the nation had greater priority than his personal responsibility to his family and calmly drank the poisonous hemlock despite his disciples` desperate plea. To his closest student Crito, who stood watching his teacher`s body stiffening, Socrates uttered these last words, "Crito, we ought to offer a cock to Asclepius. See to it, and don`t forget." and closed his eyes.

Power and wealth are sources of temptation for anyone and the most basic instincts behind survival. These are valuable things which are not bad in themselves. The thing, however, that is even more important than these is the principle of virtue. Principle is the law, and the law is a product of reason, and reason has freedom as its basis. Only human beings can live freely, in full possession of reason, establishing laws and living according to principle. Human beings with principles are simply animals, and life without principles is a bestial life. Money, power, and even survival itself are not completely good in themselves. They have value only when they are acquired without contradicting the principle of virtue. Money, power, survival achieved by violating principle is not better than even poverty, powerlessness, and death founded on virtue. Following principle means living according to one`s conviction consistently, living according to one`s own convictions means being true to oneself, being true to oneself means fidelity to one`s sense of self, and this fidelity is to affirm one`s own existence. For human beings, life without principle is no different than death, and human existence without principle can no longer be called human existence. This is simply because life without principle is not a human life.

Socrates, who refused to escape imprisonment to the end for the sake of his own philosophical convictions, lives eternally in the heart of humanity as the `wisest man` but the Athenian authorities who put him to death are completely forgotten. Charles de Gaulle who defended France from the Nazis and twice saved his nation from crisis received the title `Father of the Nation` from the French People because he followed his political convictions. When his people no longer supported him, Charles de Gaulle stepped down as president without excuses, bitterness, or regret and his memory lives long in French history, but not many remember those who drove him out. Lady Carmen remains alive in every man`s heart for her decision to die at the hands of her former lover Jose instead of uttering a lie according to her existential conviction, but no women of the past or today who chose the path of wealth and power through greed do not awe the male imagination today.

Whether one agrees with the content of the principle or not, a life of principle is precious. Politicians who would change parties at the drop of a hat and standing in line to get their foot in the door of the powerful, past powerholders who amassed massive wealth, behind the scene figures in the administration and public prosecutors who connected with countless corruption gates, people in religion, academy, arts, and every other sector of society – watching these persons` conduct cannot help but provoke alternating feelings of rage, lament, denunciation, and pity. More and more, the names of Socrates, Charles de Gaulle, and Carmen come to mind. The thing that one longs for the most in today`s society is our Socrates, de Gaulles, our Carmens.

Park Yi-Moon (Simmons College, Professor of Philosophy)