Philosophy Café – Reason, Religion and Freedom of Speech: Socrates & Antigone as Democratic Heroes?

The Philosophy Café is an open exchange of philosophical ideas led by a University of Regina Professor or a Graduate Student that runs each fall and winter semester. Reason, Religion and Freedom of Speech: Socrates and Antigone as Democratic Heroes? Dr. Ann Ward, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Regina Plato’s Socrates and Sophocles’ Antigone are often seen as models of free inquiry and action in the face of unjust political power. In the Apology of Socrates, Socrates argues that he spent his life questioning the authoritative opinions that supported the laws of Athens. Socrates’ philosophic life resulted in his trial for not believing in the city’s gods and corrupting the young. He is found guilty and condemned to death, a death which Socrates’ accepts rather than cease his unique way of speaking. In Sophocles’ Antigone, Antigone defies Creon’s decree to leave her brother Polynices unburied, accepting the penalty of death for her actions. Before being buried alive she speaks against Creon’s tyrannical rule of Thebes, claiming that she gives voice to a citizenry too afraid to critique their ruler. Although both Socrates and Antigone can be viewed as ancient precursors to the democratic defence of freedom of speech and conscience, this paper will also explore important ways in which they differ. Whereas Antigone puts loyalty to family and divine law above human law, Socrates acknowledges that he has not cared for the things of his family and, despite characterizing himself as a gift of the god to the city, gains a rational self-knowledge that can put military necessity ahead of the desire to give the dead a proper burial, coming to light in his defense of the generals of the Battle of Arginusae. This paper will thus conclude that Antigone would be one of Socrates’ accusers rather than defenders.

More information at: http://www.uregina.ca/events/philosophy-caf-reason-religion-and-freedom-of-speech-socrates-antigone-as-democratic-heroes