Greek Philosophers As Theologians by Drozdek Adam

Author:Drozdek, Adam.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis (CAM)
Published: 2016-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

Daimonion

The daimonion is a sign and voice (Ap. 31cd, 40bc; Mem. 1.1.3–5) that restraints Socrates from doing something, but it also may prescribe some action (Ap. 12; Ap. 31cd; Mem. 1.1.4, 4.3.12, 4.8.1). The daimonion gives primarily personal and practical counsel (Ap. 40a, 41cd; Mem. 1.1.4–5). The voice is heard since childhood (Ap. 31d; Theages 128d) and warns about harm and falsehood (Ap. 31d, 40a–c). It is also meaningful when the voice is silent. For example, its silence during the trial is a great proof (40c) that the outcome, a death sentence, is good.

The advice of the daimonion is useful (Ap. 31d) and good (40cd), and Socrates’ experience shows that the voice is reliable (Ap. 13; Ap. 40a–c). Reason may be sufficient to make correct predictions but is not completely reliable (Mem. 4.3.12). Therefore, it is rational to put trust in daimonion’s voice. It is even unreasonable to do otherwise (1.1.8–9) because if the voice is ignored, a tragedy results (Theages 128d–131a).

Socrates does not ascribe to the daimonion any separate individuality and does not consider it an independent divinity; he does not establish any cult of the daimonion and makes no offerings or prayers on daimonion’s account. It is really not a new divinity added to the Pantheon. It is “some personal way in which God lets himself to be heard, which is analogous to other revelations recognized by tradition.”14 The source of this sign is the same as other signs. A new thing is that this sign does not have to be mediated through oracles and interpreted by priests. God can speak directly to individuals. The daimonion can be explained as conscience15 or merely a hunch,16 but to Socrates it was a real link between him and his creator. He was one of a chosen few who was endowed with this prophetic voice (Rep. 496c) and suffered a prophet’s fate. The existence of God was not a theoretical construct, a deistic assumption, but a reality which can be experienced by everyone, directly or indirectly. Being closer and more obedient to the divine is not always an easy task, but Socrates was ready to be consistent in his views to the end and attest the reality of his theological conviction by taking the cup of hemlock.

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