socrates and the oracle
TRANSCRIPT
Socrates and the OracleSocrates and the Oracle
For Mr. Wright’s 6th Grade Class
Paradise Valley SchoolParadise Valley School
Traits
Socrates (469‐399 BC) • Physically: big, strong, tough, not real handsome
• In the military: Fought in three wars, recognized for valor
• Legends: Went barefootLegends: Went barefoot into battle; Once stood motionless for 24 hours ot o ess o ou s“just to think”
What his wife XantippeWhat his wife Xantippe thought of all this….
“After thunder rain“After thunder, rain may be expected”
Influence on the youth of Athens
Socrates pulling Alcibiades (Athen’s “most li ibl b h l ”) f hi leligible bachelor”) away from his revelry
Position on classical Greek religion
Socrates did not take at face value the h f d d ddmyths of gods and goddesses
Oracle at Delphi
•Pythia, the priestess f D l hiof Delphi, was
available one day per month for people to ask questions
•Lines were so long, it would take all daywould take all day
•What are those vapors she’s breathing? Who knows!
Warriors Consulting Pythia
You wouldn’t dare to open a taco stand ( k d) i h ki P hi(okay, gyros stand) without asking Pythia
Setting out to prove herSetting out to prove her wrong
•Goes to all the “ t ” i Ath“experts” in Athens
•One by one, argues them into submissiont e to sub ss o
•Did not win a lot of friends this way
What this trial is really aboutWhat this trial is really about
Slave boy
How dare Socrates imply that everyone can have wisdom – even slaves!!!
Death sentence: But wait… there’s a chance to escape!
Socrates’ friends try to argue him into iescaping
Resigned to his fate
•The famous “ d b ”“persuade or obey” speech
•Socrates drinks the Soc ates d s t ehemlock: