Law, reconciliation and philosophy : Athenian democracy at the end of the fifth century B.C
The purpose of this thesis is to defend Athenian democracy against a long-established suspicion that the Athenian government, with its radical form of popular participation, was not only incompetent but also dangerous. There are two serious misunderstandings in this traditional view; one is the myth of the decline of Athens after the death of Pericles, the other being the outright denial of Athenian democracy by its philosophers, Xenophon and Plato. These two common presumptions about Athenian history and philosophy are therefore examined. The historical examination focuses on three important events: the law reform, the reconciliation and the trial of Socrates. All of them were conducted by Athenian democracy at the end of the fifth century B.C., a period of time that is often cited for the failure of democracy. However, it is found that the democracy demonstrated its excellent ability to manage political conflicts through the laws and the reconciliation. As to the infamous trial of Socrates, there were reasons for the popular suspicion of the Philosopherâs way of life. Following what we have learnt in the historical survey, we search for responses to the three events in the works of Xenophon and Plato.
Huang, Juin-lung
Athenian democracy ; Athenian history ; Direct democracy ; Law reform ; Reconciliation ; The trial of Socrates ; Xenophon ; Plato ; DF277.H8 ; Democracy--Greece-Athens--History ; Athens (Greece)--Politics and government ; Greece--Politics and government--To 146 B.C. ; Socrates--Trials ; litigation ; etc ; Xenophon--Views on democracy ; Plato--Views on democracy
Law, reconciliation and philosophy : Athenian democracy at the end of the fifth century B.C. The purpose of this thesis is to defend Athenian democracy against a long-established suspicion that the Athenian government, with its radical form of popular participation, was not only incompetent but also dangerous. There are two serious misunderstandings in this traditional view; one is the myth of the decline of Athens after the death of Pericles, the other being the outright denial of Athenian democracy by its philosophers, Xenophon and Plato. These two common presumptions about Athenian history and philosophy are therefore examined. The historical examination focuses on three important events: the law reform, the reconciliation and the trial of Socrates. All of them were conducted by Athenian democracy at the end of the fifth century B.C., a period of time that is often cited for the failure of democracy. However, it is found that the democracy demonstrated its excellent ability to manage political conflicts through the laws and the reconciliation. As to the infamous trial of Socrates, there were reasons for the popular suspicion of the Philosopherâs way of life. Following what we have learnt in the historical survey, we search for responses to the three events in the works of Xenophon and Plato.
law reconciliation philosophy athenian democracy end purpose defend athenian democracy long_established suspicion athenian government radical form popular participation incompetent also dangerous serious misunderstanding traditional_view myth decline athens death outright denial athenian democracy philosopher xenophon plato common presumption athenian_history philosophy therefore examine historical examination focus_three important_event law reform reconciliation trial socrates conduct athenian democracy end period_time often cite failure democracy however find democracy demonstrated excellent ability manage political conflict law reconciliation trial socrates reason popular suspicion philosopher way_life following learnt historical survey search response event work xenophon plato