Men and women of Athens who now serve on this council, today I would like to speak in defense of my teacher, mentor, and friend. For some unknown reason, leaders in this assembly would like to ostracize this man who has held free lessons in Athens just so he can educate your children and sharpen the thoughts of us older men and women. This man is Socrates, and he is vibrant hue in the portrait of Athens that the Thrasybulans would like to cover with grey. Many of you sitting here may already have decided what your decision will be when Aristarchus calls for a final vote; however, I would like all of you to just listen to what I am about to say without thinking about your faction or your alliances. Let me tell you about the benefits Socrates
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Socrates wasn’t born to into great wealth like some of us here but was brought up humbly. When he was old enough, he received basic greek education and was taught how to cut stone. It wasn’t until he was a little older that he began to pursue philosophy. He had a wife, Xanthippe, and three sons. During the fights at Delium, Amphipolis, and Potidaea, Socrates fought bravely for his polis. In fact, he is not much different than many of us here. Now he has taught many people in Athens about logic, male and female rights, and many other topics. Through his tutelage and logic on issues throughout this year, we have defended the rights of the victims of the Thirty’s fear, provided for women and metics the ability to vote on this assembly, and constructed a sound curriculum for public school students. These things, which none can argue have hurt Athens but strengthened it, have all been influenced severely by Socrates and his pupils. Many of these reforms would not have passed, or would not have been as well thought out if the Socratic voice were …show more content…
If the charges are that he speaks treason against democracy, then they are ill-founded because Socrates has only produced a vision for an ideal state. He has acknowledged the strengths and weaknesses of this government, and he has tried to find a solution for them. If the charges are that he is teaching illegally, then those charges are preposterous. Did we not pass a law that Meletus proposed saying, “private or free Socratic teaching is legal?” Therefore, what charges can be brought against him? Pericles says it best, “If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, {...}, nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive.” (Thucydides). Pericles is saying that Athens is not like other places. We don’t spy on others and hope they mess up so we can childishly tattle tale on them. No, we have the freedom to do what we like without
Socrates wasn’t born to into great wealth like some of us here but was brought up humbly. When he was old enough, he received basic greek education and was taught how to cut stone. It wasn’t until he was a little older that he began to pursue philosophy. He had a wife, Xanthippe, and three sons. During the fights at Delium, Amphipolis, and Potidaea, Socrates fought bravely for his polis. In fact, he is not much different than many of us here. Now he has taught many people in Athens about logic, male and female rights, and many other topics. Through his tutelage and logic on issues throughout this year, we have defended the rights of the victims of the Thirty’s fear, provided for women and metics the ability to vote on this assembly, and constructed a sound curriculum for public school students. These things, which none can argue have hurt Athens but strengthened it, have all been influenced severely by Socrates and his pupils. Many of these reforms would not have passed, or would not have been as well thought out if the Socratic voice were …show more content…
If the charges are that he speaks treason against democracy, then they are ill-founded because Socrates has only produced a vision for an ideal state. He has acknowledged the strengths and weaknesses of this government, and he has tried to find a solution for them. If the charges are that he is teaching illegally, then those charges are preposterous. Did we not pass a law that Meletus proposed saying, “private or free Socratic teaching is legal?” Therefore, what charges can be brought against him? Pericles says it best, “If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, {...}, nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive.” (Thucydides). Pericles is saying that Athens is not like other places. We don’t spy on others and hope they mess up so we can childishly tattle tale on them. No, we have the freedom to do what we like without