Lesson 1.7: On Hunting with Dogs

Glossary

Socratic Philosophy & Methods

• Socratic Elenchus (ἔλεγχος) – Also known as Socratic questioning, this is the method of dialectical inquiry in which Socrates leads his interlocutors to discover inconsistencies in their beliefs.

  • Goal: Not just to win arguments but to purge false beliefs and refine one’s understanding.

  • Example: Socrates asks Euthyphro for a definition of piety; when each definition leads to contradiction, Euthyphro is forced to admit he doesn’t truly know what piety is.

  • Why It Matters: This method trains the mind in critical thinking and ensures that one’s beliefs are well-grounded in reason rather than convention or personal bias.

• Moral Intellectualism – The Socratic view that virtue is knowledge, meaning that no one does evil willingly.

  • Implication: All wrongdoing stems from ignorance—if a person knew what was truly good, they would pursue it.

  • Contrast with Akrasia: Unlike Aristotle, Socrates denies that people knowingly act against their better judgment.

• Akrasia (ἀκρασία) – The condition of acting against one’s own best judgment, often due to lack of self-control.

  • Socrates' View: Akrasia is impossible because all actions follow from one’s actual beliefs—if someone acts wrongly, it’s because they mistakenly believed that action was best.

  • Contrast: Aristotle disagreed, arguing that people can act against their own reasoned decisions due to emotional impulses.

• Freedom as Self-Mastery – Socrates’ idea that true freedom is not doing whatever you want, but rather governing yourself rationally.

  • Contrast with Modern Freedom: Today, freedom is often seen as lack of external constraint, but for Socrates, it is inner self-governance—freedom from passions, impulses, and ignorance.

  • Why It Matters: Only those who have mastered themselves can engage in meaningful dialogue, make wise choices, and live virtuously.

Xenophon’s Ethical Views

• Virtue as a Direction, Not a Destination –

  • Unlike Plato, Xenophon believed that virtue is like physical fitness—it requires continuous effort to maintain.

  • Implication: Even a virtuous person can lose their way if they do not practice self-discipline.

  • Contrast with Plato: Plato believed that once a person attains true moral knowledge, they will never lose it. Xenophon disagrees, arguing that people can fall back into bad habits.

• Enkrateia (ἐγκράτεια) – Self-Mastery –

  • The ability to control one’s desires and impulses to pursue long-term excellence.

  • Includes:

    • Resisting unnecessary pleasure-seeking.

    • Withstanding pain and hardship without complaint.

    • Keeping one’s values straight—not letting desires dictate what one sees as "good."

  • Examples:

    • Socrates attending a feast without overindulging.

    • A general resisting comfort to lead his army well.

    • Modern equivalent: Not needing social media validation to feel good about yourself.

• Karteria (καρτερία) – Endurance – The ability to withstand physical pain, exhaustion, or hardship without breaking.

  • Xenophon’s Example: Good leaders endure hunger, cold, and fatigue just as soldiers must.

  • Modern Parallels: Long-distance runners, endurance athletes, Navy SEAL training, Stoic resilience.

• Autarkeia (αὐτάρκεια) – Self-Sufficiency – The ability to thrive on little and not be dependent on external luxuries.

  • Practical Benefits:

    • Allows a leader to function in difficult conditions.

    • Makes a person resilient in changing circumstances.

  • Contrast with Hedonism: While hedonists pursue maximum pleasure, Xenophon argues that dependence on comfort makes a person weak.

Virtue & Leadership

• Leadership as Ethical Mastery – Xenophon saw self-mastery as the key to effective leadership.

  • A good leader must:

    • Control their own desires before controlling others.

    • Remain calm under pressure.

    • Show discipline in personal life so others will follow.

  • Example: A general who drinks in moderation, resists corruption, and remains composed in battle will inspire respect.

• Philanthropia (φιλανθρωπία) – Generosity & Concern for Others –

  • True friendship and leadership require a deep concern for the well-being of others.

  • Example:

    • Socrates’ friendships were built on a desire to help others improve.

    • Cyrus the Great’s leadership was based on his commitment to his followers.

  • Modern Parallel: The best leaders today are often those who mentor others rather than simply command them.

• The Highest Pleasure = Self-Improvement –

  • Unlike Aristippus (who claimed pleasure is the highest good), Xenophon argued that the greatest joy is awareness of one’s own self-improvement.

  • "Going to that party, buying that gizmo, casual sex—how does that help you in the long run?"

  • Key Takeaway: Short-term pleasures fade, but personal development lasts.

Friendship & Community Ethics

• Virtuous Friendship –

  • True friendship is based on mutual self-improvement.

  • Implication: Those who lead us into bad habits or distractions are not true friends.

  • Analogy of the Field: Just as a farmer cares for his field, a person must carefully choose the friends who help them grow.

• Dialogue & Rational Persuasion –

  • Disagreement should be resolved through calm, rational dialogue rather than emotional outbursts.

  • Xenophon’s Example: Socrates criticizes pederasty tactfully and with grace rather than aggressively condemning it.

  • Modern Parallel: Today’s political and social discourse is often dominated by emotional reactions rather than rational debate.

Xenophon vs. Plato on Socrates

Plato's Socrates

• Focuses on abstract definitions (e.g., "What is justice?")

• Sometimes appears arrogant or dismissive

• A rationalist who pursues pure truth

• Believes virtue is knowledge and once attained, it is never lost

Xenophon's Socrates

• Focuses on practical ethics and leadership

• Emphasizes self-discipline and humility

• A pragmatist who values wisdom for practical life

• Believes virtue is like physical fitness—it must be maintained through effort

Words You Might Not Know

• Elenchus (ἔλεγχος) – Socratic questioning designed to expose contradictions.

• Enkrateia (ἐγκράτεια) – Self-mastery; control over one’s desires.

• Karteria (καρτερία) – Endurance; the ability to withstand hardship.

• Autarkeia (αὐτάρκεια) – Self-sufficiency; not being dependent on luxuries.

• Philanthropia (φιλανθρωπία) – Generosity; concern for the well-being of others.

• Hedonism (Ἡδονή) – The belief that pleasure is the highest good.

• The Socratic Problem – The difficulty of determining Socrates’ true beliefs, since different sources (Plato, Xenophon, Aristophanes) present him differently.