Socrates believed in God - 2

Continued from Part 1

We earlier saw traders brought wealth and knowledge of the outside world into Athens. As trade expanded, Mathematics and Astronomy grew - the increasing complexity of trade influenced Mathematics; and as traders ventured farther into the seas, they studied stars for their guidance; and astronomy grew. The increasing affluence and thereby security, afforded some of them to study these sciences exclusively. What previously were attributed to supernatural causes and magic; were given scientific explanations and reason. As they mastered these sciences, they began to apply knowledge of the stars to understand and solve life’s problems. This was the birth of philosophy.

It was then that Socrates lived. He was not the first of the philosophers; there were many who explored the physical world; but he was the first who pried on the human soul. Gnothi seauton (Know Thyself), he would say. Socrates didn’t write down any of this thoughts. So, all that we know of him is through his disciple Plato and his disciple Aristotle. He did no work; was languishing in poverty; and never cared for his wife and children. His wife would often deride him as a good-for-nothing idler who brought more notoriety than bread to his family. Still, youth of all classes would flock him attracted to his care-free attitude towards life and his moral and psychological pondering. He spent his days in debates, discussions and teaching his disciples; eating what they shared with him; never caring about the physical world. Most of his debates would be against beliefs, questioning assumptions very basic to these beliefs. He would question - what is justice, virtue, morality, patriotism. What do you mean by yourself? Probably he was among the first to ask - Who am I?

While most cherished his questions that opened up minds to delve deeper, there were some who left confused; and complained he asked more questions than he answered. Socrates gained fame and finally death, for two questions he answered - What is virtue? What is the best state?

Probably it was the timing that turned fatal in determining Socrates’ destiny. The belief system in Athens was severely shattered by the skepticism that had crept into the society.  Skepticism led to disbelief and disillusionment. Though materially affluent, Athenians felt a vacuum in their individualism and culture. Making things worse, Sparta (which had an aristocratic government) attacked Athens - Athens suffered a crushing defeat. After dust had settled down on the war, Athenian government took stock of the situation. They opined the weakening of moral fibre led to defeat; they convened a council to debate the way forward. Socrates, who by now was a famous thinker, was among those invited. Socrates’ speech redefined human thought; and his own life.

The older citizens of the council, were in favor of restoration of the polytheistic faith; and make bigger sacrifices to win the gods’ favor; and reclaim Athens’ superiority. However, Socrates felt it was very regressive to fall back upon sacrifices and religious conservatism. He had his own faith - he believed in One God; and believed in a moral code that should be independent of religious doctrine - based purely on virtue on men and the collective good of the community.

If men could be educated, and taught to reason and use their intellect; and see, beyond their self-interest, on the long-term effects of their deeds, and take action that would cancel out desires and bring out long term harmony, such thought would be the moral belief that would bring long-lasting prosperity to humanity. Religion is a tool for reinforcing these percepts and control for the unlettered; but for the educated, if they could be taught to reason, that would bring everlasting morality devoid of any religion (It is this thought that led many to think Socrates was an atheist. But he was only against religion; he totally believed in God)

As much as the individual should reason and use his intellect, the government should also be run by intellectuals; who understand that the prosperity of the state lies in liberty to the individuals; and incentives for moral and social conduct. If the state is run by a crowd; who exercise more control than leading; and rules without helping, people would not find incentive to be moral; and they will fall back to self-protecting means. More people doesn’t effectively mean more brains, on the contrary, men are bound to be more violent and emotional when in crowd, hence prone to make hasty decisions. Also, their opinions can be easily swayed by skillful orators; who could push their personal agenda. Thereby, Socrates exhorted governing the state is not for the general public, but for the finest of minds. The management of a state should be done by intelligent men; who can think and act for the welfare of the entire state. Such was Socrates’ argument on religion and administration.

Men were men at all times. They were as emotional and self-protecting as ever. When Socrates spoke against polytheism and democratic systems, it obviously didn’t go down well with the ruling democratic party of Athens. They saw this as an attempt by the wealthy and educated minority to plot a revolution, and make Athens an aristocracy; they rejected Socrates’ ideas. Eventually civil war broke out. The democratic forces won. Socrates, who was considered the intellectual leader of the revolution was convicted and brought to a court of law. The judges could appreciate the truth in Socrates words, but the general public were violent; and wanted Socrates to be put to death. It was decreed that Socrates should drink hemlock (a poison) and die.

Socrates was not afraid of death; he was in fact as cheerful as ever. In prison, he told his disciples and friends that “only my body is going to die” inferring his soul would live on. When the guardian brought hemlock, he thanked him, drank it graciously without any regret or fear; and strolled for a few minutes for the poison to take effect. As his legs grew tired, he lied down and a few moments later, his breath stopped.

Through history, great men have always suffered at the hands of us mediocre. They lived their lives to better ours, to progress our thoughts, and to bring equality amongst us, but the gift we gave them was humiliation, disregard and death. History is replete with instances where Religion rather than moralizing people has been penalizing those who do what it has failed to. And we, drunk deep in its doctrines, have always played to its tunes; castigating philosophers who were ahead of their times. Probably, they were just great philosophers; no great psychologists. They didn’t realize that men will be men; selfish and myopic in their thoughts.

As Plato rightly put - Woe to him who teaches people faster than they can learn

- Arun KK

References:

1. The Story of Philosophy - William Durant

2. Wikipedia