Socrates’ Responsibilities in Plato’s The Death and Trial of Socrates
Socrates has made a lasting impression on readers for millennia. Being an outspoken mind that taught his methods to others, his legacy continued through his protégée, Plato, whose own works have also greatly influenced today’s modern ideology (Class Notes January 24th). In Plato’s The Trial and Death of Socrates, Socrates is accused by Meletus of corrupting Athens’ young, creating new deities and not believing in the city’s gods. Faced with a trial that leads to his imminent execution, Socrates last public speech is anything but today’s understanding of an apology (Class Notes February 16th). Plato’s documentation reveals that Socrates responsibilities are contradictory in …show more content…
In the main speech of the Apology, he explains that he will defend himself while remaining clear to his duty towards the city of obeying the law (Class Notes February 7th). He wants to “let the matter proceed as the god may wish, but [he] must obey the law and make [his] defense” (Apology 19 a-b). This directly addresses the idea that he is bound to the laws that the people of Athens, including himself, have agreed to. Hereby showcasing his belief in the people of Athens because he has agreed that it is fair for them to judge him. Socrates statement that he must obey the laws of Athens implies his understanding of his duty towards the city that he has never left besides for his state-sanctioned military duty (Crito 52 b-c). However, this soon contradicts with his desire to help the city and their gods with his …show more content…
In essence, he has agreed to the social contract theory with the city. By choosing not to leave the city, except for military service, he has agreed to abide by the rules that govern Athenian society (Crito 52 b-c). Essentially he “chose and agree[d] to be a citizen under us [the laws]” (Crito 52 c-d). This means, consequently, that he must agree to the punishment that goes along with these rules. In his words, the laws would say, in response to not adhering to the rule’s consequence, “you are breaking the commitments and agreements that you have made with us” (Crito 52e-53a). Although he deviates as what he defines his duty to the city, to philosophize, he believes that the fact that he chose to be part of the justice system that is integral to the city’s functioning makes him believe this to be his ultimate
Socrates has made a lasting impression on readers for millennia. Being an outspoken mind that taught his methods to others, his legacy continued through his protégée, Plato, whose own works have also greatly influenced today’s modern ideology (Class Notes January 24th). In Plato’s The Trial and Death of Socrates, Socrates is accused by Meletus of corrupting Athens’ young, creating new deities and not believing in the city’s gods. Faced with a trial that leads to his imminent execution, Socrates last public speech is anything but today’s understanding of an apology (Class Notes February 16th). Plato’s documentation reveals that Socrates responsibilities are contradictory in …show more content…
In the main speech of the Apology, he explains that he will defend himself while remaining clear to his duty towards the city of obeying the law (Class Notes February 7th). He wants to “let the matter proceed as the god may wish, but [he] must obey the law and make [his] defense” (Apology 19 a-b). This directly addresses the idea that he is bound to the laws that the people of Athens, including himself, have agreed to. Hereby showcasing his belief in the people of Athens because he has agreed that it is fair for them to judge him. Socrates statement that he must obey the laws of Athens implies his understanding of his duty towards the city that he has never left besides for his state-sanctioned military duty (Crito 52 b-c). However, this soon contradicts with his desire to help the city and their gods with his …show more content…
In essence, he has agreed to the social contract theory with the city. By choosing not to leave the city, except for military service, he has agreed to abide by the rules that govern Athenian society (Crito 52 b-c). Essentially he “chose and agree[d] to be a citizen under us [the laws]” (Crito 52 c-d). This means, consequently, that he must agree to the punishment that goes along with these rules. In his words, the laws would say, in response to not adhering to the rule’s consequence, “you are breaking the commitments and agreements that you have made with us” (Crito 52e-53a). Although he deviates as what he defines his duty to the city, to philosophize, he believes that the fact that he chose to be part of the justice system that is integral to the city’s functioning makes him believe this to be his ultimate