The Theory of Moral Sentiments · Character

Socrates

Athenian philosopher cited on virtue and moral inquiry.

minor

First appearance: i of those systems which make virtue consist in propriety

Socrates's tie to Alexander the Great is one of the pressures that moves The Theory of Moral Sentiments—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Referenced for his cheerful tranquillity while drinking the poison, contrasting with his weeping friends.

In the storyI: That Though Our Sympathy with Sorrow Is Generally a More Lively Sensation Than Our Sympathy with Joy, It Commonly Falls Much More Short of the Violence of What Is Naturally Felt by the Person Principally ConcernedOpen this moment free

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With Alexander the Great (psychological): Alexander is presented as a contrast to Socrates' philosophical self-command. In I: That Though Our Sympathy with Sorrow Is Generally a More Lively Sensation Than Our Sympathy…

With Alexander the Great (psychological): Alexander is presented as a contrast to Socrates' philosophical self-command.

In I: That Though Our Sympathy with Sorrow Is Generally a More Lively Sensation Than Our Sympathy with Joy, It Commonly Falls Much More Short of the Violence of What Is Naturally Felt by the Person Principally Concerned: Referenced for his cheerful tranquillity while drinking the poison, contrasting with his weeping friends.

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See Socrates in i of those systems which make virtue consist in propriety

Character Web

5 connections

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Relationship types

Psychological
Other

Character groups

Classical and Modern Moral Exemplars
Ambitious and Self-Love Figures
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Alexander the Great
psychological · ambivalent
Alexander is presented as a contrast to Socrates' philosophical self-command. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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In the story

Socrates appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: That Though Our Sympathy with Sorrow Is Generally a More Lively Sensation Than Our Sympathy with Joy, It Commonly Falls Much More Short of the Violence of What Is Naturally Felt by the Person Principally Concerned
Referenced for his cheerful tranquillity while drinking the poison, contrasting with his weeping friends.
III: Of the Final Cause of This Irregularity of Sentiments
Referenced indirectly through the dramatic examples of Oedipus and Jocasta, which are drawn from Greek tragedy, a context familiar to Socrates.
Part III: Of the Foundation of Our Judgments Concerning Our Own Sentiments and Conduct, and of the Sense of Duty
Mentioned as an exemplar of moral reasoning and self-examination.
Section I: Of the Character of the Individual, So Far as It Affects His Own Happiness; or of Prudence
Mentioned as an example of a man of splendid talents who displayed improper contempt for ordinary decorums.
Of Those Systems Which Make Virtue Consist in Prudence
Quoted for his argument that the surest way to acquire a good reputation is to actually become virtuous, illustrating the prudential aspect of virtue.

Chapter companion notes

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See Socrates in i of those systems which make virtue consist in propriety