Socrates and ethics | Genius of the Ancient World

Duration: 3'33''

Synopsis

Socrates questioned the judicial system in Athens, where anyone could be a judge. He didn't believe that all chosen would have a good moral compass and could do damage not only to the wrongfully convicted, but to their own soul too.

Further Information

More clips from Genius of the Ancient World

2: Socrates | Genius of the Ancient World

2: Socrates | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 59'14''

Historian Bettany Hughes is in Greece, on the trail of the hugely influential maverick thinker Socrates, who was executed for his b...

Anti-writing | Genius of the Ancient World

Anti-writing | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 50''

Socrates reportedly never wrote anything down as he believed this "imprisoned knowledge".

Knowledge of the human good | Genius of the Ancient World

Knowledge of the human good | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 3'14''

While the Grecians championed five virtues, Socrates thought this was too diluted and instead reimagined them all a...

Pre-Socratic's | Genius of the Ancient World

Pre-Socratic's | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 4'02''

Before Socrates, tradition was being challenged by rational debate and scientific thought.

Socrates and dialogue | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates and dialogue | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 5'08''

Socrates didn't believe wisdom and knowledge could be garnered by long speeches but instead through dialogue and challeng...

Socrates and ridicule | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates and ridicule | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 3'16''

Due to his spiritual claims, Socrates was ridiculed publicly in plays by playwrights such as Aristophanes.

Socrates and the supernatural | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates and the supernatural | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 1'32''

Socrates claimed to have spoken to divine voices who advised him on his actions.

Socrates on trial | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates on trial | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 3'58''

At the age of 70, Socrates went on trial for denying and creating new gods as well as corrupting the young.

Socrates, death and legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates, death and legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 4'16''

Socrates' last words were intentionally cryptic and keep scholars guessing as to their meaning even now.

Socrates, punishment and revenge | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates, punishment and revenge | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 5'38''

The people went against Socrates' judgement to not try six generals at once, and in the end executed them for ...

Socrates, youth and beauty | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates, youth and beauty | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 4'59''

Many young men took to Socrates, who preached that the beauty of the mind is superior to that of the body.

Soldier Socrates | Genius of the Ancient World

Soldier Socrates | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 2'05''

Despite being required to fight in war, Socrates still managed to get lost in thought and pontificate.

The Oracle of Delphi | Genius of the Ancient World

The Oracle of Delphi | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 2'28''

Socrates agreed with the godly prophecy that he was the wisest of men, as he was willing to admit his limitations unlike h...

More resources about Philosophy and Ethics

How to Kill a Human Being | Horizon

How to Kill a Human Being | Horizon

BBC Two | 2008 | 49'13''

Michael Portillo pushes his body to the brink of death in an investigation into the science of execution.

Abortion On Trial

Abortion On Trial

BBC Two | 2017 | 59'10''

Fifty years after the Abortion Act was passed, Anne Robinson brings together a group of people with conflicting views on abortion to ask if the law is fit ...

1: Execution | Life and Death Row

1: Execution | Life and Death Row

BBC Three | 2014 | 58'23''

Series telling the story of capital punishment through the eyes of young people whose lives have been shaped by it. It looks at two of the ...

The Rana Plaza Disaster | This World

The Rana Plaza Disaster | This World

BBC Two | 2014 | 4'59''

Witnesses and victims of the Rana Plaza disaster tell their stories of the day.

Anthony

Anthony

BBC One | 2020 | 1'26'12''

From writer Jimmy McGovern, the story of Anthony Walker, a black teenager murdered in a racist attack in Merseyside in 2005, and how his life could have been.

Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable

Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable

BBC One | 2023 | 58'06''

What happens when your instincts tell you to seek revenge, but your faith demands that you forgive? YouTuber and comedian Humza Arshad expl...

Anti-Abortion Camp | Brainwashing Stacey

Anti-Abortion Camp | Brainwashing Stacey

BBC One | 2017 | 45'37''

Stacey Dooley travels to California to meet Survivors, one of America's most extreme anti-abortion groups, to learn about their acti...

Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

BBC One | 2019 | 57'43''

From colossal farms in America to the destruction of the Amazon, Liz Bonnin investigates how our hunger for meat is killing our planet.

Corruption and the Rana Plaza | This World

Corruption and the Rana Plaza | This World

BBC Two | 2014 | 5'11''

Power and connections allowed Sohel Rana to cut corners with his clothing factory complex, the Rana Plaza.

Did Darwin Kill God?

Did Darwin Kill God?

BBC Two | 2009 | 59'16''

Conor Cunningham is a Christian and a firm believer in Darwin's theory of evolution. He attempts to overturn the view that Darwin's ideas have weakened ...

Kids with Guns | Stacey Dooley

Kids with Guns | Stacey Dooley

BBC Three | 2010 | 57'10''

Stacey Dooley explores the issue of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war, where an estimated 30,000 children have be...

What are the rights and wrongs of abortion? | Matters of Life and Death

What are the rights and wrongs of abortion? | Matters of Life and Death

BBC Two | 2015 | 10'46''

This film explores some of the ethical and moral questions around the issue of abortion, and focuses ...

Arguments against Euthanasia | Matters of Life and Death

Arguments against Euthanasia | Matters of Life and Death

BBC Two | 2015 | 3'23''

A nurse explains why she is against euthanasia.

Faith Behind Bars

Faith Behind Bars

BBC One | 2018 | 38'46''

With access to HMP Edinburgh, this film follows the prison chaplains as they give spiritual guidance and religious support to offenders - including those c...

New Boys in Town | My Life

New Boys in Town | My Life

CBBC | 2017 | 28'20''

How do you make friends in a new school if can't speak their language? 12-year-old Adel knows exactly how this feels as he had to leave his home i...

What are the rights and wrongs of the death penalty? | Matters of Life and Death

What are the rights and wrongs of the death penalty? | Matters of Life and Death

BBC Two | 2015 | 12'34''

The film features representatives of different faiths and religions explaining their perspec...

A Short Stay in Switzerland

A Short Stay in Switzerland

BBC One | 2009 | 1'29'43''

One-off drama inspired by the true story of Dr Anne Turner, who in 2006 took her own life in a Zurich clinic having developed an incurable degene...

Arguments for Euthanasia | Matters of Life and Death

Arguments for Euthanasia | Matters of Life and Death

BBC Two | 2015 | 3'19''

A man explains his reasons for wanting access to euthanasia.

Does God Exist? | Worlds of Belief

Does God Exist? | Worlds of Belief

BBC Two | 1997 | 19'04''

Schools religious education program for 14-18 year olds. Billy, a Belfast boy, who regains his faith in Maze prison.

Should assisted suicide be legalised? | Matters of Life and Death

Should assisted suicide be legalised? | Matters of Life and Death

BBC Two | 2015 | 12'21''

This film looks at the viewpoints of Charlotte and Paul whose life experiences have left them on opposing s...

More from Bettany Hughes

1: When God was a Girl | Divine Women

1: When God was a Girl | Divine Women

BBC Two | 2012 | 59'08''

Bettany Hughes investigates goddess worship across the world and ancient conceptions of the divine.

Evaluation of Freud's theories | Genius of the Modern World

Evaluation of Freud's theories | Genius of the Modern World

BBC Four | 2016 | 3'30''

Evaluations of Freud's work, was he too subjective or is there an element of truth in his theories of the subcons...

Socrates, youth and beauty | Genius of the Ancient World

Socrates, youth and beauty | Genius of the Ancient World

BBC Four | 2015 | 4'59''

Many young men took to Socrates, who preached that the beauty of the mind is superior to that of the body.

Roman soldiers | Learning Zone

Roman soldiers | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2013 | 6'55''

Bettany Hughes visits the excavation of a fort and talks about the importance of soldiers and their lifestyle.

South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission | What's the Point of Forgiveness?

South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission | What's the Point of Forgiveness?

BBC One | 2011 | 3'50''

How forgiveness was used in the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

BBC HD | 2011 | 1'14'25''

Bettany Hughes visits seven of the most famous ancient and modern Buddhist locations in the world: seven wonders that give an insight int...