Essay #1

Arête is a being your own hero.  It is being able to achieve all that you can and knowing that you did your best.  Socrates demonstrated arête very well because during his time as a Greek philosopher he taught his students and young children new ways of thinking that would affect the world in so many ways.  During this time it was normal to listen and not question anything, just obey.  In some ways that may be good, but not when there are better ways to do things.  Questioning was wrong and rude, but Socrates did it anyway, he knew that it would be difficult but it did not stop him, because it was beneficial.  His methods of questioning repeatedly allowed people to open up their minds and think for themselves, he is considered a hero and a great achievement to Greece, and the whole world today.  Greece demonstrated arête because they were the first to stand up against their leaders and demand another form of government.  This took great courage to stand up to your country when no one has done it before.