Opinions on Socrates

When analyzing Socrates as a person, I think it is apparent that there is much more to his personality than appears on the surface. Many people assume that his aims are pure, that he questions those around him solely in the pursuit of knowledge. I think that if his conversations are considered as a whole, strong arrogance shows through.

Socrates often flatters the person he is questioning in order to initiate the debate and he continues to do this as the conversation progresses in order to keep the other person conversing. For instance, Socrates continually tells Euthyphro that he is very wise in matters of piety. While on the surface this appears an honorable supplication, it must be considered that this was done in order to mock Euthyphro. He was giving compliments while at the same time telling Euthyphro he was wrong. If I were to participate in the conversation from Euthyphro's position, I would leave the conversation