Tag: socrates

Classical education is back on the menu. There is a sharp increase in movements for school choice worldwide. There is also a push for higher standards that connect people to their past history and culture. Furthermore, parents and teachers are advocating for the classics to reclaim their long-lost place in these educational standards. This change has been noticed even by major publishers like Forbes. All of this is leading people to rethink their own education and preparedness. Thankfully, the classics are not hard to get into.

Many classical education curricula overviews are available online. You can also find a decent Great Books course survey fairly easily. This short article serves to guide people. It is meant for those who wish to get into the classics at a different place in life. It also aims to help those who wish to start transitioning their children to a more robust classical education, but don’t know where to start.

1. History

Human experience thrives on being told in stories. Stories that are later compiled and detailed in books by historians. One of the best ancient classical historians is Plutarch. He wrote a series of biographies about some of the most influential people of the ancient world. Some of the more interesting biographies to start with are the ones about Alexander the Great or Romulus. You will find many interesting aspects to their actions and impact in our own world today.

Why this over the alternatives?

It introduces ancient historical figures using clear and inviting language without overemphasizing details and bogging down with dates.

2. Philosophy

Philosophy can be overwhelming to study for someone who has never read any philosophical treatise. It can be challenging to access, and it addresses complex and challenging topics. Nevertheless, we once more can turn to ancient Greece for help. The best place to start is Plato’s “The Last Days of Socrates.” It explores more accessible themes, like life, death, and virtuous living. The text is engaging and provides a strong foundation for understanding Western philosophy.

Why this over the alternatives?

Socrates’s last days are a whirlwind of thought and action of a man who is loved by his disciples but despised by corrupt leaders. It is where philosophy meets real life.

3. Political Science

Here, we make a shift away from Plato. We turn to someone who was a disciple of his, Aristotle. His “Politics” is a great place to start. Yet, I would suggest starting with books one and three. The rest can get challenging, long, and outright difficult for the beginner. In those two, Aristotle is straightforward and clear. He encourages the reader to think deeply about the weight of politics. Any lover of politics is sure to find it entertaining.

Why this over the alternatives?

Aristotle can be hard to read, but those two books clearly show a path ahead for the avid reader in the depths of ancient political science.

4. Theater and Playwrights

If you like movies with good dialogue, we have to thank the vast Western tradition of playwrights. If you prefer a plot that develops naturally, this tradition is also responsible. The best place for a beginner to start is with a play that is still shown nowadays. That play is Sophocles’ “Antigone.” It is a heart-wrenching tragedy, full of questions about the duties of the family and the state while also addressing the moral weight of those caught between the two.

Why this over the alternatives?

Greek tragedies cover so many themes, many of them fairly complex, brutal, and as is in the name, tragic. Antigone introduces those themes in a slightly more digestible manner. This allows the reader to dip their toes without being pulled by the abyss.

5. Fantasy and Adventure

Finally, this one is a no-brainer. The Odyssey is the subject of Christopher Nolan’s next project. It is also one of the most sold, read, and admired stories in all of human history. Homer wrote it several thousand years ago. The story narrates Odysseus’s journey as he tries to get home after the Greek war against Troy. It has inspired hundreds of authors over the years. It holds a special place for any kid, teenager, or adult who reads it. Honestly, it would be a perfect overall place to start reading the ancients; you will not be disappointed.

Why this over the alternatives?

It is a story that has inspired so many stories. The Odyssey has survived the test of time. It has paved the way for our modern examples of great fantasy, from The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones.

Conclusion

The ancient classics can be overwhelming to get into. However, once you delve in, you will discover why Classical Education is making a comeback. They are a treasure trove of wisdom, enlightenment, and skillful rhetoric. These elements can equip anyone with newfound hope for our next generation. So, my encouragement for you is this, choose your topic, pick up a book, and start reading!

Resources:

Perseus Library: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/

Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/

Dover Thrift Editions: https://store.doverpublications.com/pages/dover-thrift-editions

Of all the ancient philosophers, three have stood the passing of time, bringing encouragement, wisdom, and help to generations. Of course, we are talking about Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It is thanks to Plato that we have access to Socrates’ words. Words that are full of wisdom, wit, and outright humor at times. Plato recorded Socrates’ words through dialogues. These are a series of conversations, speeches, and discussions. They give us a glimpse of what Socrates and the people around him thought about the world. They also reflect on virtue, religion, and civil duty.

One such set of dialogues comes from the final stages of Socrates’ life. The title of this dialogue is “Phaedo,” who was one of his disciples. As Socrates grew in popularity in Ancient Greece, his rivals denounced him before the Athenian court around 399 BC. The result of said trial (I wholly recommend reading Socrates’ defense before the Athenians) was the death penalty for Socrates.

Phaedo then deals with the last hours and conversations that Socrates had in this life. It holds snippets of wisdom and discussions about human nature and existence. It also explores the afterlife and virtue, as well as many other interesting subjects. Yet, for us today, one thing stands out. It is found at the very end, when the poison that Socrates was made to drink begins to reach its final stages. Those who were with him aim to record his final words, words that most would assume to be his last wisdom being passed down to the next generations. Instead, Socrates mentions the fact that he still owes a chicken sacrifice to the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius.

Smarter people than I have given many interpretations to these final words. I am not here to reinvent the wheel. Rather, I offer some insight into the significance of the words for us today. Throughout most of the dialogue, a recurring theme is the existence of an afterlife. If it exists, what does it look like? Socrates and his disciples discuss the matter, but one thing that is clear to the reader is the fact that Socrates is hopeful about the afterlife. He is aware of the fact that virtue and goodness are important. He also believes that they are necessary to enjoy a better afterlife.

The kicker comes when he utters those words. Why would he make an offering to Asclepius when he knows that the poison he has taken will soon have its full effect? I believe that this is his final lesson to everyone. Make your soul right with God. If we were to look four hundred years ahead from the death of Socrates, we would find a man addressing a crowd near the site of his death. This man would stand and proclaim that the Athenian ignorance concerning the afterlife had come to an end. He would declare that God was calling all men to repentance. God made this call based on the works of the man he appointed to judge the living and the dead. The worries of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle have not disappeared from our world. People are still searching for answers. Answers which only Jesus Christ can provide.

We should read Phaedo and all the other treatises about Socrates. They are insightful, interesting, and full of wisdom. The god of medicine received the offering because, to Socrates, death was the ultimate healing, a release from the body’s prison. Yet even in confidence, he honors ritual, hinting at humility before the unknown. Socrates’ final offering to Asclepius reveals his uncertainty about the afterlife—an uncertainty Paul resolves four centuries later by proclaiming resurrection through Christ, freeing us from pagan sacrifices.

Blogs and articles on Church history, history, theology, and classical education.