Analysis Of Socrates Did Not Corrupt The Youth

Socrates did not corrupt the youth. This answer is not, however, one-dimensional. Because this question is at the center of discussion within a trial setting, there is a legal dimension to this question that must be addressed. But looking at this question solely though the lens of legality does not provide us a robust answer – we must also address the question with the broader idea of corruption in mind. At no point in this five-word question does it tell us to only interpret the question in legal terms. A full answer should include an analysis of the “corruption” at hand within the legal setting, but also how it stands independent of Athenian legality. Socrates’ actions must also be examined through the broader lens of human morality. Multiple definitions are used when describing corruption, all of which involve some form of negative impairment; government corruption involves illegal use of power, spiritual corruption would involve a violation of one’s deeply held beliefs, and biological corruption would be an impairment to living in some way. In the context of the trial, corruption of the youth involves a sort of moral worsening, as Meletus portrays the issue as an injustice (TS: 37). Socrates’ cross-examinations are painted ways to distort the youth, making them less moral beings in the eyes of their …show more content…
This understanding creates no base for accusation on any sort of impiety/corruption; such an accusation requires Socrates to have said something that is blatantly immoral, even just from the Athenian perspective. This does not exist, however, because that does not align with the Socratic method. The ideas that are being discussed throughout the trial – atheism, piety, corruption, etc. – are the results of Socrates’ questioning, not what Socrates portrays as reference to his own