The Heroic Ideal: Plato and Socrates

The heroic ideal is exhibited in various ways in different works of literature. In The Odyssey, Odysseus must endure an arduous journey during which he is confronted with numerous challenges and during which time the sanctity of his marriage is threatened. He is heroic for overcoming these obstacles with honor. In the Analects of Confucius, following the path of righteousness and right conduct is heroic. In Plato's Apology, Socrates defends himself against charges of the state and explains why he would rather die than act in an unjust manner. This last depiction of the heroic I believe most applies to modern society. This is because Plato's definition of the heroic, as illustrated through Socrates, pits the individual against the state. It is because Socrates follows a higher law than manmade law that he is portrayed as more just than the state in accepting his unjust death sentence, and this is what makes him heroic.

In Plato's Apology, Socrates is charged with corrupting the youth of Athens. This charges stems from his teaching philosophy to young Athenians and showing impiety to the gods. We see that Socrates is heroic because he will risk challenging manmade authority for a higher authority, that of the gods, no matter the risk to his own person. Piety to the gods requires pursuing a higher path of justice and truth, even when it conflicts with manmade laws. We see this philosophy is one that was adopted by both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luthe

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practice and teaching of philosophy" (Plato, 1956, p. 74). Socrates is not only heroic because he is willing to risk his life for what he believes is right. He is also heroic because he understands that if he resorts to trying to escape or engages in unjust actions because of his unjust charges he will be as reprehensible as those that accuse him. As he explains regarding the actions taken by the state and the Thirty, "I made up my mind I would run the risk, having law and justice with me, rather than take part in your injustice because I feared imprisonment and death" (Plato, 1956, p. 77). It is these qualities that make Socrates stand out among most men and heroic in Plato's view. There are other reasons Socrates reflects the heroic ideal in Apology. There is a code of behavior or conduct that Socrates associates with the heroic. He believes that a mature individual should have developed enough wisdom to be able to respond in a rational and virtuous manner regardless of the circumstances in which he finds himself. This is why he refuses to make any form of emotional appeal during his trial. He feels emotional displays are irrational. He is heroic because he clearly knows how a virtuous and just individual shou

Category: Literature - T