Justice to the Jury In the Apology, Plato characterizes Socrates to be wise and concerning for men’s souls. Throughout the defense Socrates claims that the jurors can kill him, but they cannot harm him. He believes that if they jurors convict him, they would be harming themselves because they are tainting their souls by ignoring the truth. Socrates’ arguments for these claims are cogent because Socrates centers his arguments on the fact that truth and justice is not truly defined and that man must constantly reflect upon his thoughts to clearly define these qualities. Socrates begins his defense by proclaiming to the jury that he speaks the truth in order to help society. He urges the jury to look upon the facts and to focus upon the material
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Socrates states in the Apology, “To fear death … is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know” (29a). Fearing death is a form of ignorance. Socrates demonstrates he is not afraid of death because he does not have all the information to base his opinion of death. In addition, Socrates does not fear death because he is excited for the fact that he may continue his search for truth by examining the souls of the dead. Death may be a blessing in disguise or a curse. It can never be known, but it can be reflected upon. This ties into Socrates’ philosophy that a good man lives a good life if he is constantly reflecting upon himself and society. If a man constantly questions the values and beliefs he bases his actions upon he will continue to follow the path towards undeniable truth. As man learns more of the truth, he improves upon his soul and character, which Socrates believes to be the ultimate goal. Death is not known to limit this process, so Socrates is not intimidated by his condemnation. Rather, he is concerned for the jury for it’s reasoning to put him to death. If the jury cannot reflect upon the definitions of justice, truth, and piety, it cannot properly sentence a man to
Socrates states in the Apology, “To fear death … is no other than to think oneself wise when one is not, to think one knows what one does not know” (29a). Fearing death is a form of ignorance. Socrates demonstrates he is not afraid of death because he does not have all the information to base his opinion of death. In addition, Socrates does not fear death because he is excited for the fact that he may continue his search for truth by examining the souls of the dead. Death may be a blessing in disguise or a curse. It can never be known, but it can be reflected upon. This ties into Socrates’ philosophy that a good man lives a good life if he is constantly reflecting upon himself and society. If a man constantly questions the values and beliefs he bases his actions upon he will continue to follow the path towards undeniable truth. As man learns more of the truth, he improves upon his soul and character, which Socrates believes to be the ultimate goal. Death is not known to limit this process, so Socrates is not intimidated by his condemnation. Rather, he is concerned for the jury for it’s reasoning to put him to death. If the jury cannot reflect upon the definitions of justice, truth, and piety, it cannot properly sentence a man to