Assignment 13

          Although Socrates and Jesus lived in two different eras and one preached Christianity and the other philosophy, they share a lot of the same values, lifestyles, and teaching skills. Referencing Matthew in the New Testament about Jesus' crucifixion and Plato's Apology, which is about Socrates' defense in his trial, we can recognize similarities between the two "teachers."

           Both state that there is no reason to fear death, but for different reasons. The Bible explains, "An fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Matthew 16.26)," which states that you should not fear earthly harm, but spiritual which only God can inflict. Christianity believes that earthly possessions and suffering is only in this life, but then you are rewarded with eternal salvation. Socrates states, "A good man cannot be harmed in either life or death, and that his affairs are not neglected by the gods," which basically says the same thing except he did not believe in eternal salvation. Instead, he believed that fearing the gods are more important and vital than fearing humans.

           Also, Socrates explains that he does not fear death because he does not actually know what death entails, so how can he be afraid of the unknown? He says, "To fear death, gentlemen, is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know." Socrates acknowledges the limits of human wisdom and does not claim to know what he does not. Actually, he believes himself to be wise because he recognizes his lack of knowledge. Jesus also warns people of speaking "idle words" because they will be judged later. This actually reminds me of how recently one man claimed that the rapture was coming and when he didn't he looked like a complete idiot. In the bible specifically it states that no man knows the day, but only God. I think Socrates could agree with this sentiment that humans do not know as much as they claim. 

           There lifestyles also mimicked each other like forgiveness and rejection of wealth. Although persecuted and ridiculed, both never took revenge or were bitter  towards their prosecutors. Socrates states, "Men of Athens, I am grateful and I am your friend but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy, to exhort you and in my usual way to point out to any one of you whom I happen to meet." Both of them preached and taught for their love of humanity and for a higher purpose. Those accusing them of wrong wanted them to beg for mercy, but they refused and held themselves to a higher standard. Socrates says, "I was convicted because I lacked not words but boldness and shamelessness and the willingness to say to you what you would most gladly have heard from me, lamentations and tears and my saying and doing many things that I saw are unworthy of me but that you are accustomed to hear from others." Jesus also was taunted by bystanders asking him why he doesn't save himself if he is the Son of God and etc. 

           Socrates explains though that although he is unique, there will be more followers of his philosophy and they will continue to question society until justice is administered and the good is discovered. Several Christians were converted after the resurrection of Christ and his Apostles scattered around the world to preach his teachings. Socrates says, "You are wrong if you believe that by killing people you will prevent anyone from reproaching you for not living the right way." 

           The way that Socrates and Jesus taught was also quite similar. They both spoke in parables. Jesus says, "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at nay time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Socrates also faced closed minded people that would not listen to him speak. He gave insightful analogies about the minds of humans and conduct of society. However, the largest difference in their teachings is that Jesus knows the answer and is preaching it. Whereas Socrates is seeking the answer and those he asks fail him. Socrates proves them wrong through facts, reason, and analogies but Jesus simply states what is the Truth.