Comparison of Martin Luther and Socrates

(Name (Teacher (Subject (Date

A Comparison of Socrates ' and Luther 's Ideas of Freedom

Introduction

Despite a difference of around two millennia , or 2000 years , the claims to freedom of the Greek philosopher Socrates and the German Leader of the Protestant Reformation Martin Luther lend themselves to both similarities and differences . Although there are more differences than similarities , the two works have both not only expressed the dreams and aspirations of these two great man but especially changed the societies in which they lived , although gradually . This will discuss the

similarities between Socrates ' claims in the Apology and those of Luther in Concerning Christian Liberty . This will discuss the similarities between Socrates ' claims to freedom in the Apology and those of Luther in Concerning Christian Liberty

Similarities

The claims of Socrates and Luther to certain freedoms share a few similarities

An Exhortation to Oppose Established Institutions . Both Socrates ' and Luther 's claims for freedom exhorted people to oppose established institutions . While Socrates tried to undermine the immoral ways of Athenian society , Luther wanted to expose the defects in the theological bases of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church

Socrates , on one hand , criticized Athenian society when he said , If there were a law at Athens , such as there is in other cities , that a capital cause should not be decided in one day , then I believe that I should have convinced you (Apology . And somehow he implied a certain attachment of Athenians to money when he said...