Socrates contends that the possibility of death will not influence his arguments in his defense. He states that he cannot sacrifice his ideals, just because of the concerns about death. In law court, Socrates mentions that if judges would give him another punishment as not questioning people, he would do that, because it is impossible for him to keep quiet, as that means disobeying the God. Socrates says, “If you think that a man who is any good at all should take into account the risk of life or death; he…
In allowing himself to be executed, Socrates would be allowing his unfair trial to be validated. He also plays to his duties as a father, stating that “if [he] go[s] off when [he] could be educating them… they’ll meet the same fate which usually befalls orphans once they’ve lost their parents” (Cahn 507). He tries to convince Socrates that he is choosing the easier path, and not finishing the education of his…
In The Apology, Socrates explains his reasoning for why he was put on trial and how the jury should proceed. He tried to persuade the jury not to put him to death, but instead have him pay a fine (which he could not afford), exile him, or give him no consequence. Also, Socrates was very…
People believed in the same concepts, the same gods, and the same values. Although he was going against the grain, Socrates remained honest with himself (and others) and followed his own moral principles—until the very end. Socrates states in his apology, “I couldn’t care less about death—if that isn’t putting it too bluntly—but all that I care about is not doing anything unjust or impious.” (Pg. 48,…
Arguably the most influential philosopher to emerge from Ancient Greece, Socrates was widely despised throughout his lifetime for his incessant search to find a man with more wisdom than he. Socrates was subjected to trial on the charges of impiety and corruption of the youth and was ultimately deemed guilty by the jury. Plato recounts Socrates’ lengthy speech of defense and his subsequent sentence to execution in his dialogue, The Apology. Regardless of his innocence or guilt, however, the verdict of Socrates’ execution is the most appropriate outcome of the trial. In his plea for acquittal, Socrates unwittingly proposes a more compelling argument in support of his own execution rather than against it.…
We can empathise with our protagonist, and would likely respond in the same manner if put in the same situation. However, Socrates is not an ordinary man. By giving up on trying to convince his…
But, there are others who believe he is innocent; for example, me and my fellow Socratics. Our Faction feels he is solely being used as an example. This assembly is passing judgment on one of the wisest citizen of all Athens. Socrates does not communicate values and ideas: he merely asks questions to his followers and begs that his speakers teach him.…
The ideas, proceedings and ultimate judgement had a political hand all stemming from Socrates criticism to the political class, poets, and craftsmen through his philosophical engagements. Socrates was found guilty with a narrow margin, but his proposal for penalty added insult to injury. He also rejected prison and exile, offering perhaps instead to pay a fine. The judge rejected his suggestion and sentenced him to death and with a philosophical statement, Socrates accepted the judgement saying that only the gods know what happens after death and so it would be foolish to fear what one does not know. Further, is there a true measure of guilt or innocence in Socrates’ case?…
The jurors are obviously agreeing with one another and gathering false information about Socrates. Socrates then defends each accusation and misinterpretations by pointing out what the jurors said. Socrates' wisdom intentionally comes off as rational. He stayed true to who he was when the jury decided a sentence to death. I believe he carried himself well and staying strong to maintain his…
He also accepts his fate stating that, “it is not difficult, O Athenians! to escape death… it is much more difficult to avoid depravity.” All of his life Socrates taught philosophy and forward thinking, and if he had gone back and begged for a fine or for jail he would’ve thrown away everything he had taught to his students and everything his life had supposedly stood for which is to be moral just and virtuous. Socrates goes on to say that the judges should punish his sons and pain them as he had pained them if they were to exhibit signs of depravity by holding things like money before virtue.…
In Plato’s Apology, Socrates is put on trial for accusations of disruptive behavior. Some men in the community feel that his way of life goes against the will of the Gods and corrupts the youth. As he stands before a jury that will ultimately decide his fate, Socrates states that “the difficulty… is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding the unrighteousness” (Plato 38). Socrates knows that death is inevitable, and repeatedly claims he does not fear it. He believes that it is harder to run from the injustices and evils of the world than it is from death, so he defends his philosophy even after execution becomes the verdict.…
Perhaps Socrates realized the courts were right in his sentence because he was not truly wise and had in fact corrupted the minds of the youth. Or, maybe he knew that if he was to be acquitted of the charges he would continue his teachings and probably end up back in jail, and would rather not waste the time and effort. Or, maybe Socrates’ love of Athens and the respect he had for the government and the courts decision stopped him from fleeing his death…
Socrates continues to explain how he can’t violate the verdict, which in this case is the death penalty therefore, it would be wrong because Socrates couldn’t go against his principles. Socrates states, “ Come then, if we destroy that which becomes better by the healthful and is corrupted by the distasteful, because we don’t obey the opinion of the experts, is life worth living for us when it has been corrupted? Surely this is the body, isn’t it?”(47e) Socrates is explaining how in his mind life is not worth living unless it is lived appropriately in this case being, that the ethical life is more important than life itself. Socrates continues his justification on why he can’t escape prison because by committing this action he would be doing what he considers as the unjust thing because he would’ve been seen as a dishonorable…
Socrates makes a statement that if the jury kills him it will not be easy to find another like him. However once he is sentenced to death he states there will be more accusers after he is gone. Is he not contradicting himself? Was he trying to spare his life even though he claimed to not fear death? Another statement that leaves me with questions is, in the beginning of Socrates speech he says that his friend asked an oracle if there is anyone wiser than Socrates.…
Socrates defended him self by drawing attention to the fact that he has taught the anyone for many years that would listen with out fee. He even asked the court to excuse his simple mannerisms showing the fact he has never been I trouble with the law, and it was his first time ever being charged with a crime. He talks about how he has never sought public office (power) he talks about how it is society job to influence (work interest of the youth) the youth. He uses an analogy to describe how he is a horse trainer and the youth are horses and how other (society) benefit for his teachings like how to do serein tasks that benefit Athens. Socrates is sentenced to death and given multiple opportunities to escape to another county.…