PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28302, 13 June 1957, Page 7

PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES

Problem For Student

“ ‘Bury me if you please, if you can catch me,’ were the words credited to Socrates shortly before his death, and this typified his philosophy,” said Professor W. K. C. Guthrie in an address to the Christchurch Classical Association at Canterbury University College last evening. Professor Guthrie is Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy and Public Orator at Cambridge University. Socrates was a problem for the student, said Professor Guthie, as he had written nothing and had io be studied through the works of others. It was apparent, however, that he had had a great effect on morals and philosophy, both through his teachings and through the teaching of those who had followed him.

Socrates had hoped to get exact definitions of abstract words, and through this to arrive at standard bases of moral conduct, said Professor Guthrie. His teachings had much of the Christian beliefs in them, as he thought that the intellect was the true being, and the body only the tool of the spirit. As a result, he was not afraid of death, for he considered no harm could be done to a good man in any way. “Socrates faced death as he lived, with courage and steadfastness,” said Professor Guthrie. “By his death he gave a new meaning and direction to Western thought, and his impact is still to be feit in modern society.”