Right or Wrong, Win In society it is believed that is impossible for one person to corrupt the thoughts of a whole group of people. On the other hand, it has been proved that it is possible for one person to influence and subsequently lead to the corruption of thoughts. Following Socrates’ death, we the Athenians became inspired to ferret out and execute other individuals who might be guilty of corrupting our youth. One of the individuals we will put on trial for this is Meletus, the youngest of the three prosecutors that accused Socrates of this matter. Indeed Meletus has proven that he is guilty of everything he accused Socrates of. First, Meletus himself corrupts the mind of the youth by contradicting his charges against Socrates. Second,
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Before taking Socrates to trial Meletus had the option of pulling Socrates aside to correct him and to exhort him privately to change his behavior. After all, Socrates declared that it would be irrational and dangerous for him to corrupt the youth willingly since it would have negative consequences for the city and his family (25b-26a). Socrates clarified that he's believes were not meant to corrupt and by this he confronted Meletus with the following dilemma: "Either I do not corrupt the young or, if I do, it is unwillingly” (26a). In fact, Socrates points out to Meletus, that if he corrupts unwillingly, the law did not require him to bring people to court but to get hold of them privately, to instruct them and exhort them. However, Meletus decided Socrates fate by taking him to the court, where the law required one to bring those who are in need of punishment, not instruction. For the same reason Socrates declares, “I say that Meletus is guilty of dealing frivolously with serious matters” (24c). Meletus irresponsibility by taking Socrates into court with no valid arguments or evidences proves that he is guilty of dealing frivolously against another man's innocence and clean reputation. Dealing frivolously with serious matters influences to unscrupulous behavior and therefore corrupts the youth by setting no values of one’s
Before taking Socrates to trial Meletus had the option of pulling Socrates aside to correct him and to exhort him privately to change his behavior. After all, Socrates declared that it would be irrational and dangerous for him to corrupt the youth willingly since it would have negative consequences for the city and his family (25b-26a). Socrates clarified that he's believes were not meant to corrupt and by this he confronted Meletus with the following dilemma: "Either I do not corrupt the young or, if I do, it is unwillingly” (26a). In fact, Socrates points out to Meletus, that if he corrupts unwillingly, the law did not require him to bring people to court but to get hold of them privately, to instruct them and exhort them. However, Meletus decided Socrates fate by taking him to the court, where the law required one to bring those who are in need of punishment, not instruction. For the same reason Socrates declares, “I say that Meletus is guilty of dealing frivolously with serious matters” (24c). Meletus irresponsibility by taking Socrates into court with no valid arguments or evidences proves that he is guilty of dealing frivolously against another man's innocence and clean reputation. Dealing frivolously with serious matters influences to unscrupulous behavior and therefore corrupts the youth by setting no values of one’s