Essay #1

The word arête means reaching full potential with good character. This is a top of what a person or people can attain and doing it in a way that others would respect. Socrates was an ancient Athenian philosopher who developed the Socrates Method. The Socrates Method was a debate or argument that started between a few people and was used to develop critical thinking between them. Socrates exemplified  arête because he stood up for what he believed in. He would walk the streets asking random people questions to get them thinking.  Socrates was penalized for disrespecting the gods and corrupting the youth of his time. However, he held his position in the wake of criticism. Socrates was heroically willing to die for his beliefs, which shows his true perseverance and excellence. The ancient Greeks also demonstrated arête. They were the first to develop the system of Democracy. This was incredible because it was the first time where everyone had a say and a chance to vote for what they individually wanted and believed in. Socrates and the ancient Greeks certainly demonstrated arête by standing by their beliefs and not giving up to get others to accept.