Comparing Islamic Fundamentalism and Plato's Dialogues

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Recommended: Utilitarianism and kantian ethics

Parallels can be drawn from the Islamic fundamentalism and the discussion of piety, justice, truth, and knowledge in Plato's dialogues. In Plato's dialogues of Socrates' Apology, it becomes clear that Socrates is a pluralist, as is Noman Benotman . A pluralist is someone who believes there is more than one correct solution to a problem but not all possible solutions are correct. This differs from relativism, as relativism is that everyone in a given situation is right and all solutions are correct. Both, Socrates and Benotman question and do the things that they believe to be noble. In Plato's Euthyphro, piety and impiety is discussed along side with justice and injustice. According to Benotman, there is no true purpose for their fighting.

Around 37b - 38b of the Apology, Socrates discusses what would be an appropriate punishment, as he had been found guilty by a majority. He comes up with multiple correct solutions to this particular problem and then weeds each one out until he finds the best solution (Apology, 37c - 38b). Socrates' solution was a monetary fine, from four guarantors. At the end, the jury ends up condemning Socrates to death (Apology, 38b).

After having been sentenced to death, Socrates states that there is no good to come out of his death, as he is already of old age and does not have much longer to live anyway (Apology, 38b - c). He also states that by killing him the jury and the accuser have asserted that Socrates is indeed wise (Apology, 38c).

Benotman also had to decide between possible solutions, both potentially being the correct solution. His final solution became standing up to his group of jihad followers (Taking Back Jihad). Benotman told the Al Qaeda, that what they were doing was wrong and wa...

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...ianism goes, what the Al Qaeda did was also unjust, because there was more “pain” than “pleasure”. The “pain” referring to the killing of innocent lives, and the “pleasure” being the goals of Al Qaeda. Socrates would state that you need to care about people, fulfilling the criteria of both Kant and the utilitarian policy.

Socrates and Benotman are very similar. Benotman has determined his own definition for justice, and is making his own personal revolution based off of this. He, like Socrates, has decided to stand up for what he believes in, and will not back down from it.

Works Cited

West, Thomas G., Grace Starry West. Four Texts On Socrates. Plato. Euthyphro.

West, Thomas G., Grace Starry West. Four Texts On Socrates. Plato. Apology.

West, Thomas G., Grace Starry West. Four Texts On Socrates. Plato. Crito.

Benotman, Noman. Radio Inverview. 20 February 2010

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