Nicole Darwich
Brian Smith
Essentials of Political Thought
20 October 2017
Defender of law
Through his words and actions, Socrates demonstrates that the preservation of law and justice in Athens was of the most importance. Socrates is a represented as a staunch defender of the law, where he abides by the basic obligation of citizenship and the law of the Athenian law. Socrates lives by the law according to these two passages divine law and the law of court become his principles. The plot of Apology sets place in a courtroom where Socrates defends himself against the accusation made by Meletus and others of his impiety and corruption of Athenian youth. Against the accusation made against him, Socrates begins his defense. He has the utmost respect for the laws of the Gods and makes it clear to the court. In the passage of Crito, Socrates has a conversation of escape between his dear friend Crito. Crito is astonished at Socrates acceptance of death to honor the Athenian court decision. This paper will scrutinize …show more content…
How can the Athenians disobey the Oracle and accuse Socrates of atheism when he lives by the Divine law. Socrates believes that Divine law has given him the authority to ask questions and since everyone on earth must obey the God's Laws before any earthly laws like Athenian laws which he has given importance. He was in fact not doing anything wrong, which he explains in the trial. He pleads not guilty because Socrates thinks that he was carrying out God’s wishes. After the court has decided that is guilty, he continually states “Now the hour to part has come. I go to die; you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one, except the god.” Even at the last hour, he was indicating to them that he does believe in God and that they cannot make this decision of impiety but the Gods can (Apology
Brian Smith
Essentials of Political Thought
20 October 2017
Defender of law
Through his words and actions, Socrates demonstrates that the preservation of law and justice in Athens was of the most importance. Socrates is a represented as a staunch defender of the law, where he abides by the basic obligation of citizenship and the law of the Athenian law. Socrates lives by the law according to these two passages divine law and the law of court become his principles. The plot of Apology sets place in a courtroom where Socrates defends himself against the accusation made by Meletus and others of his impiety and corruption of Athenian youth. Against the accusation made against him, Socrates begins his defense. He has the utmost respect for the laws of the Gods and makes it clear to the court. In the passage of Crito, Socrates has a conversation of escape between his dear friend Crito. Crito is astonished at Socrates acceptance of death to honor the Athenian court decision. This paper will scrutinize …show more content…
How can the Athenians disobey the Oracle and accuse Socrates of atheism when he lives by the Divine law. Socrates believes that Divine law has given him the authority to ask questions and since everyone on earth must obey the God's Laws before any earthly laws like Athenian laws which he has given importance. He was in fact not doing anything wrong, which he explains in the trial. He pleads not guilty because Socrates thinks that he was carrying out God’s wishes. After the court has decided that is guilty, he continually states “Now the hour to part has come. I go to die; you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one, except the god.” Even at the last hour, he was indicating to them that he does believe in God and that they cannot make this decision of impiety but the Gods can (Apology