The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-22
Socrates,

ana Ar1StophaneS was right in attri-
outing much of the degeneration to
the immoral teaching of the sOphists.
AS a comic writer il suited him to as
aIme that all philosophers were soph-
lists. and that Socrates, who was sus-
pected of not believing in the puerile
gods or Greece, was the chief Of them.
AS SophiSt had besome a name for all
teachers Of philosophy, Aristophanes
had some excuse for his thoughtless
raillery for the barefooted, careIessly
dressed and absent-minded Socrates.
Socrates was born B. c. 46S at Attn
ems. His father was Sophroniskus,
sculptor. It was said that he modelled
a group Of graces exhibited in the
AcropOlis. Diogenes tells US that while
he worked with his father he also at
tended the lectures Of the philosophers.
AnaXagoras and Archelaus. So dill
gent and interested was he that a rich
Athenian, recognizing him in his faith
er's shop, determined that a philoso-
pher should not be lost in a carver o.
images and supplied him with money
10 pursue his studies. He did not live
however, above the earth, though he
loved abstract, speculation. He &C
cepted his place as a citizen, and per
formed his duties as soldier admira-
bly,. He served in the army of Poti-
daea (B. c. 1922 and at Delium anG
Amphibolus q. c. 424). His fortitude
under priVatiOn and his courage before
danger were as marked as his loyalty
and high purpose. When his pupil,
Xenophon, was in grave danger, he
bore him in his arms from the field of
battle. He married, as we know, though
his wife, Xantippe, may have suffered
in popular estimation much in the same
way as her husband did. She has be-
come a type of shrewish wives, as he
was made a type of pretentious philos-
ophers. Her side Of the story will never
be heard.
Socrates became more and more con
WINGED that he had a spiritual mission
to fulfill. He believed that the Deity
spoke TO him through the medium OF
his genius, or daemon. He felt that
this daemon directed him unerringly;
he was earnest and sincere, and he de-
sired to influence society by bringing
the young to him. The greatest of his
pupils were Plato, Xenophon and Alki-
blades. He was a teacher to those who
were intimate with him. but his posi-
ton was that Of public lecturer TO
constantly changing crowds rather
than that of n professor who delivered
lectures, Systematically arranged. TO
one set of students. He was the foun-
der of no school, but his influence per-
meated many schools. We know his
teaching best through his wonderful
disciple, Plato. VINO represented the
speculative side of his mind as Keno
phon, as DR. Brown in his excellent
- History of Greek Classical Litera-
ture" says, showed the practical side
The satire aimed at Socrates by
Aristophanes. in the Clouds" had
nothing to do with the persecution OF
ha czffe-
mics. He was supposed TO be against
democracy. although he had been neu-
trail in politics. The son of Pericles
executed by the state, had been his
friend. Alcibades and Critias-innova-
tors against the constitution OF SCION
were beloved by him. But when he had
interfered in politics il had been to
save the shedding of innocent blood
He had refused to consent to the dealt
of the younger PeTicles;- he did his ut
most TO save both TharamineS anC
Leon Of Salamis from the fury of the
mob. It was not strange that he was
hated, for he never heStated to tel
unpleasant truths. He was satlrlcal
therefore he Knocked the nation; he
did not reverence the old poets as ga
cred. therefore he corrupted the edu
cation of the youth OF the nation. HIS
enemies accused him, and by a vote Q
2S1 to 276 he was declared guilty. he
might have bought his liberty for a
heavy fine; he refused; nor would ne
violate the law by escaping His apol-
ogy, so elevated, dignified and manly,
) one Of the masterpieces in the lit
erary records of the world He drank
the hemlock and disd martyr &c
righteousness, needing only the light Of
Christian revelation 70 be perIec
example to all coming ages.
The influence of Socrates resulted y
the formation of fixed systems; 1t per
meated the teaching OF the stolcs and
.vrslcs and the schools Of Plato an6
Aristotle As Plato was his pupil, 81
Aristotle was Plates. though they diff
fered in many things. he was the firs
to introduce the element OF accuracy
INTO investigation. He insisted on der
milton and classification. Every term
in philosophy or ethics must be dis
tirctly defined He asked questions
till ignorance grew weary and gave up