Socrates is a renowned philosopher and great adviser to both Alcibiades and Critias. He was famous of the doctrines and teachings he once shared to both great leaders of Athens particularly to Alcibiades. He teaches him on how to practice virtue; to pray with no specific god, but certainly not to Christ, and exercise moderation on any hasty action that he’s going to make. On the other hand, Alcibiades never confirms that he learned the doctrines and philosophy solely from Socrates, but partly contributed to the ideas he had. Socrates acted more as a friend rather than a mentor. With that, Alcibiades learns to practice his philosophical view, but think differently from his beloved friend (Johnson).
Alcibiades is famous of being fickle-minded and impulsive. He had no time to think over the plotted plan. If he had the plan, he usually twisted it especially when he finds a perfect opportunity to grab the power. Where in, Socrates wanted him to take it slow and weigh things out before action. Sometimes he pointed out a philosophical view to Alcibiades to make him think the possible outcomes or to work on his mind. There are times that Alcibiades is more careful to his action, but when he had a temper he quickly changed. Socrates is an expert on keeping things more complicated just like for instance when Alcibiades is on the way to his prayer room; he usually gives a philosophical passage to trigger Alcibiades mind this will help him to come to, realization (Johnson).
Socrates succeeded to teach Alcibiades in some way such as to become prayerful, witty action but sometimes poorly executed, and become a great leader with strong upholding.
Works Cited
Johnson, David. Socrates and Alcibiades - Four Texts (Focus Philosophical Library). Illinois Carbondale: Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Co., 2003.
