Philosophy
Why Socrates hated democracy
We are used to thinking admiringly about democracy – and, therefore, ancient Athens
The civilization that created democracy. Parthenon has become almost synonymous with democratic values
That is why many Democratic leaders would like to be filmed there.
So it is very surprising to discover that one of the great achievements of ancient Greece,
Philosophy, was very uncertain of the other achievement, democracy.
The founding father of Greek philosophy – Socrates – portrayed, in Plato’s dialogues, as greatly pessimistic
On all matters relating to democracy. In the sixth book of the “Republic”, Plato describes
Socrates enters into a conversation with a character named Ademantus and tries
It led him to see the shortcomings of democracy by likening the society to the ship. If I were going
On a journey by sea, ask Socrates, who would prefer to decide who is responsible for
the ship? Only any person or persons qualified in the provisions and requirements of seafarers?
The latter, of course, says: Edemantos, why, then, answers Socrates, we continue to believe
That any elderly person should be appropriate to decide who should be the ruler of the country? Destination
Socrates’ view is that voting in elections is a skill, not a random one. Like any other skill
They need to be systematically studied for people. Allow citizens to vote without education
It is irresponsible as if you gave them the responsibility of sailing a three-ply ship to Samos in a storm.
Socrates personally witnessed a disastrous experience because of the folly of voters. In
399 BC, the philosopher (Socrates) was brought to trial on trumped-up charges of corrupting young people
Athens. 500 Athenians were invited to the jury to consider the case, and the Commission decided by margin
Tight that the philosopher was guilty. He was executed by drinking hemlock (cm) in an event
It is, in the forgetfulness of thinkers, as tragic as Jesus’ condemnation of Christians.
Overall, Socrates was not elitist in the usual sense. He did not believe that few
Only a few should always vote. It is, however, insisted that only those who think
The issues must be rationally and deeply allowed to vote. We have forgotten this difference
Between intellectual democracy and child-acquired democracy. Because we gave the right to vote for all
Without linking it to knowledge. Socrates knew exactly where this would lead to:
To a system feared by the Greeks above all, the demagoguery (the power gained from fear).
Ancient Athens had a painful experience of demagogues, for example, the character of the notorious “
Rich, rich, inspiring, who ripped basic freedoms, he helped
Athens was pushed into disastrous military adventures in Sicily. Socrates learned how easy it was
Candidates should take advantage of our desire to get easy answers. He asked us to imagine
An electoral debate between two candidates, one of them a doctor and the other
Shopkeeper for dessert. The candy shop owner will say about his opponent: Look, this person
Here many evil deeds have been done to you. It has caused you harm, gives you a bitter dose and tells you
Do not eat what you love of food and drink. It will not give you a lot of miscellaneous things
Delicious and cheerful as I am. Socrates asks us to look at the public’s response: Do
Think your doctor will be able to respond effectively? The real answer – ‘I’m causing you trouble,
I go against your wishes for your help ‘will cause a stir among voters,
do not you think so? We have forgotten all about Socrates’ outstanding warnings against democracy.
We preferred to think about democracy as if it were an unambiguous commodity – not something
As effective as the education system that surrounds them. As a result, we
We have elected many owners of candy stores, and very few doctors.
Why Socrates hated democracy
We are used to thinking admiringly about democracy – and, therefore, ancient Athens
The civilization that created democracy. Parthenon has become almost synonymous with democratic values
That is why many Democratic leaders would like to be filmed there.
So it is very surprising to discover that one of the great achievements of ancient Greece,
Philosophy, was very uncertain of the other achievement, democracy.
The founding father of Greek philosophy – Socrates – portrayed, in Plato’s dialogues, as greatly pessimistic
On all matters relating to democracy. In the sixth book of the “Republic”, Plato describes
Socrates enters into a conversation with a character named Ademantus and tries
It led him to see the shortcomings of democracy by likening the society to the ship. If I were going
On a journey by sea, ask Socrates, who would prefer to decide who is responsible for
the ship? Only any person or persons qualified in the provisions and requirements of seafarers?
The latter, of course, says: Edemantos, why, then, answers Socrates, we continue to believe
That any elderly person should be appropriate to decide who should be the ruler of the country? Destination
Socrates’ view is that voting in elections is a skill, not a random one. Like any other skill
They need to be systematically studied for people. Allow citizens to vote without education
It is irresponsible as if you gave them the responsibility of sailing a three-ply ship to Samos in a storm.
Socrates personally witnessed a disastrous experience because of the folly of voters. In
399 BC, the philosopher (Socrates) was brought to trial on trumped-up charges of corrupting young people
Athens. 500 Athenians were invited to the jury to consider the case, and the Commission decided by margin
Tight that the philosopher was guilty. He was executed by drinking hemlock (cm) in an event
It is, in the forgetfulness of thinkers, as tragic as Jesus’ condemnation of Christians.
Overall, Socrates was not elitist in the usual sense. He did not believe that few
Only a few should always vote. It is, however, insisted that only those who think
The issues must be rationally and deeply allowed to vote. We have forgotten this difference
Between intellectual democracy and child-acquired democracy. Because we gave the right to vote for all
Without linking it to knowledge. Socrates knew exactly where this would lead to:
To a system feared by the Greeks above all, the demagoguery (the power gained from fear).
Ancient Athens had a painful experience of demagogues, for example, the character of the notorious “
Rich, rich, inspiring, who ripped basic freedoms, he helped
Athens was pushed into disastrous military adventures in Sicily. Socrates learned how easy it was
Candidates should take advantage of our desire to get easy answers. He asked us to imagine
An electoral debate between two candidates, one of them a doctor and the other
Shopkeeper for dessert. The candy shop owner will say about his opponent: Look, this person
Here many evil deeds have been done to you. It has caused you harm, gives you a bitter dose and tells you
Do not eat what you love of food and drink. It will not give you a lot of miscellaneous things
Delicious and cheerful as I am. Socrates asks us to look at the public’s response: Do
Think your doctor will be able to respond effectively? The real answer – ‘I’m causing you trouble,
I go against your wishes for your help ‘will cause a stir among voters,
do not you think so? We have forgotten all about Socrates’ outstanding warnings against democracy.
We preferred to think about democracy as if it were an unambiguous commodity – not something
As effective as the education system that surrounds them. As a result, we
We have elected many owners of candy stores, and very few doctors.
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