First Speech of Socrates

Analysis Essay- First speech of Socrates (237 b to 238 a)

In this paper, Socrates wants to say that every person is ruled by two fundamental principles. The following are some of the questions that the essay shall attempt to answer. The most significant question is whether following own judgments and desire for pleasure bears a different outcome. As the analysis attempts to answer this question, Socrates wants his audience to see the significance of following own judgments instead of depending on others to make your decisions. The First speech of Socrates falls between 237b to 238e. Phaedrus persuades Socrates to give the speech, but Socrates refuses. Phaedrus reminds Socrates he is younger and muscular and should show him some respect. Phaedrus swears to Socrates that never will he say another speech on his behalf because Socrates refused to give a speech. Socrates, instead gives some reasons as Lysias did, says that even though men love beauty, some are already in love while others are yet to fall in love. In this case, Socrates wants to say the outcome for following ones judgments varies from desire for satisfaction. He believes that every person follows two principles in making any decision. Socrates believes that there are two principles that rule everyone. One of the principles is the intrinsic desire for happiness and the other principle is the attained reason that follows what is good. On one hand, Socrates believes that when one pursues his/her own reason, that person is in his/her right mind. On the other hand, when a man follows his own desires towards happiness without reason it becomes outrageous. He asserts that pursuing different desires results to attainment of different things. For example, a person who pursues his desire for material things is gluttonous and so forth. The yearning to acquire satisfaction in beauty, armored by the family beauty in human bodies is Eros. Socrates explains that the major problem of desire is that, when it overcomes somebody, that person wants to drive other to what pleases him/her rather than what is good for them. Trying to control other people's life because of the overwhelmed desire stifles the other person's intellectual growth. The physical condition of the person suffers, and the lover wants the boy remain immature and family less. This is because the lover desires the boy for satisfaction and unmindful about their wellbeing. In some situation, the right-minded judgment takes the position of the madness of love and breaks the lover's promises to the boy. Phaedrus claims that one of the tremendous goods provided is the intimacy between the lover and the boy. Such a relationship provides good guidance and love into the life of the boy. Phaedrus believes that since the boy is in love, the lover acts as a precious role model, and the boy portrays the best behavior in fear of being caught in a shameful behavior.