Socratic ethics is one that is born from the development of virtue as an essential pillar of correct action. Socrates explains how the practice of good perfects the human being, on the contrary, the practice of evil corrupts his nature. The author's ethics is, above all, practical.
Since although to do good in experience, it is positive to also know it previously in a theoretical way, virtue is only trained from the experience of acting.
The thought of Socrates has been known to a great extent thanks to the contribution of Plato who in his dialogues makes his teacher the very object of philosophy. Ethics in this Greek thinker is an act of responsibility that leads to happiness.
Good produces happiness
In this way, the practice of good produces an inner joy that is the result of that immediate satisfaction that a person experiences when he knows that he has done the right thing. On the contrary, the virtue of justice aims to repair a damage done. For example, through punishment.
Virtue is inherent to the human being as a rational being, as a being aware of himself and the consequences of his actions. In this way, the practice of goodness leads to full life. From the author's point of view, virtue is inherent in the very nature of the human being.
The human being must behave according to the criterion of good, and not otherwise, because it is his moral obligation to act like that. It is your existential calling. Will and knowledge are two constantly interconnected ingredients in this ethical theory.
Know yourself
According to the author, it is enough for a person to know what is fair in a given context for him to apply this criterion in the framework of the action. A reflection that gives rise to a Socratic intellectualism. "Know yourself", this message of introspection moves the philosophy of Socrates as a starting point for the human being to take care of his soul from what is good for him.
Therefore, ethics appeals to man's own responsibility to be a good person. In turn, the author considers that ignorance affects the human being in a negative way since when a person does not know himself, he cannot know what is really convenient for him from his own nature.
Socrates was a mentor to many other people since through a philosophy practiced in the form of dialogue, this thinker helped other men find their true happiness.
Photo: Fotolia - Lombard
