Death Of Socrates Research Paper

In the era of the Enlightenment, many philosophers were creating their own understanding of how the individuals of society function and the purpose of existence; one of these philosophers was Socrates. Spending majority of his life in Athens, Socrates exercised his freedom of speech, for which, he had vocalized his opinions to the people of Athens of the authority of the government and whether if the they are suitable to help society function in a positive light (Brumbaugh 230). However, in the development of government, the conservative government of Athens charged Socrates with religious treason and the corruption of the youth of Athens (Brumbaugh 228). During the trial, Socrates personally defended himself in court with a jury of over

He proclaims that “examining both myself and others is really the very best thing that a man can do, and that life without this sort of examination is not worth living” (Plato 66). Socrates believes that the government will be able to change so that people who value goodness and truth would be in power. However, later in the Apology, Socrates contradicts himself when he explains why he has led a mostly private life, saying that “if I had long ago attempted to take part in politics, I should have died long ago” (Plato 58). Socrates believes “a man who really fights for justice must lead a private, not a public, life” (Plato 59). This goes against what he has been saying for the rest of the trial and demonstrates the unrealistic quality of the high standards to which he holds the government and leaders. If Socrates says it is dangerous for proponents of justice to live a public life, it becomes extremely difficult for politicians to be virtuous and morally good, since politicians live essentially their whole lives in the public sphere. It is not realistic for Socrates to believe that the government of Athens could progress so that good people hold the power, when he has shown that in his own experience and observations it is not safe for good people to hold public positions.

For Socrates, his reasons are established on fundamental standards and rationale. In spite of the fact that religions have little drive on his activities, it is not totally far off for Socrates. As the story going before Crito infers, no capital punishment o capital punishment can be completed amid the religion mission to Delos. Essentially, the state gave a minute where Socrates could have gotten away passing through detainment, however that implied he would be trading off and offending the laws that secure his group. The state when gave the establishment in which his conviction was

Following events, which went on to take place further, established his dislike for the government form, thus resulting his propositions of a Utopia in The Republic. At a young age, Plato began to follow the great philosopher Socrates, which instilled his ultimate desire to pursue philosophy, rather than his destined profession in politics. Plato had grown close to Socrates and his teachings; this close connection was a cause to Plato’s finalizing opinions of Democracy. In 399 BCE Socrates was executed by the newly leading Democratic leaders of Athens, and was voted by a majority to be put to death. Plato turned in disgust from contemporary Athenian politics afterwards and went on to be the founder of the Academy; a gathering place, which one could consider a school, that housed great scholars and their revolutionizing thoughts on Mathematics, Philosophy, and Theoretical Astronomy. Due to the events of Plato’s life, he was able to develop the most profound and employed ideas associated with western civilization. His influence had such great impact that his principles are often used in modern-day establishments, from government forms, to fundamentals pertaining to philosophy, the impacts of socialization, as well as religion. To begin an analysis of principles, there must be an understanding of human nature and his personal thoughts regarding the topic, in having that basis of knowledge one could further understand how the basic

The conviction of Socrates is the darkest moment in Athenian history. In Crito Socrates argues that it is always in one’s best interest to act justly. He argues that those who voted against him were only voting as they did to do damage to him. He says that they did so without so much as an inclination that their votes would lead to his conviction and execution. Socrates had made a fool of almost every politician and had made many enemies, many of whom considered themselves as the higher echelon of Athens. He had not regarded these “wise” people with the amount of respect that they felt they deserved. He had denounced their wisdom, position, wealth, power, and intelligence publicly. They hated Socrates because of the respect that he was being given by the people of Athens and he wasn’t anyone of status or power. Yet the people followed him and the young men from the aristocratic party listened to him, discussed with him, debated him, and loyally followed his teachings.

Why did Athens wait so long to put Socrates on trial?. Socrates was teaching students for some time before he was put on trial in 399 B.C.E. I think the people of Athens waited to put Socrates on trial because they just lost a war to Sparta and were afraid their democracy was going to be taken away from them. Some of Socrates students also turned on Athens and became part of the thirty tyrants. I think the reason why Athens did not prosecute Socrates before the war was because there was no threat to Athens Democracy. Athens and Sparta had powerful armies, and they both felt that nothing could stop them. Both cities were claiming land around the world, until they both had to fight each other, to see who was the strongest.

crime in the pursuit of power is to violate the social contract of the state, and to wrong all of the people who reside within it. Socrates would be especially against this considering it was his defiance to violate the social contract of Athens, but his respect for the law post-sentencing, that caused his execution, which he embraced rather than feared. Even in Crito when Socrates had the opportunity to usurp his jailers to save his own life he opted not to violate the law of Athens, for that would be disingenuous to the state he’d participated in his whole life. If Socrates had to be punished by the state for breaking its laws, then the breaking of a state’s laws should not lead to someone, especially an aspiring leader, being celebrated

Socrates, one of the great (if not the greatest) philosophers of his time was accused by the Athenian government on charges of: corrupting the youth and believing falsities about the gods. Both these charges were formal accusations. Simultaneously, Socrates was charged informally on making the weak argument appear stronger, and for—in a way—being a sophist. Though majority vote to execute Socrates silenced his fate, the morality behind their decision-making is ill equipped with rational evidence. There is an obvious disconnect between the power of the state (the Athenian law) and the morality surrounding Socrates’ position on the situation.

Socrates Athenians who would usual disagrees with the government have to be obliged to or convince them to do as they are told. When Socrates were philosophizing he didn’t convince the government to continue so now by not saying anything he is going to be put to

The city of Athens put the philosopher Socrates on trial on three charges; corrupting the cities youth, denying the cities gods, and making the weaker speech the stronger. His accusers, Meletus the poet being the primary and most vocal, tri him in front of judges for these charges, with the end resulting in Socrates being sentenced to death. Socrates claims that they use these charges because they are easy at hand for use against those who philosophize, and that they are not just. I do not believe the sentence of death of Socrates by Athens was just, but its almost as if Socrates falls on the sword.

Good morning my fellow Athenians, I, Aristogeiton, have step forward to present a solution and what will be the end result for Socrates. Socrates, a man who’s name brings joy to the hearts of some and brings hatred to the hearts of some. I understand that we all are outraged for two different reasons. One reason I assume is why is Socrates on trial and the other reason I assume is why is Socrates not punished. All though I believe that Socrates has done us wrong in the name of democracy, the very form of government and foundation in which he resides under, I do not believe in a death penalty.

The law which the citizens of Athens lived under was not a contractual agreement, but a pedagogical insistence. Those in power required complete compliance and obedience to the laws, even if they were not just laws. If Socrates had in fact made an “agreement” with the government, he would be ensured that his liberties and rights were protected and that the manipulation of the law is not used to strip him of these civil liberties. Socrates never knowingly broke the law; he simply shared his ideas.

According to Dr. Dave Yount, many Athenians still regret their decision to put Socrates to death to this day. Is this feeling of regret acceptable? This paper will explore the details surrounding the trial of Socrates and whether or not he was treated fairly throughout the sentencing process. In The Apology of Socrates, Plato describes the charges against Socrates as not believing in the gods recognized by the state, introducing supernatural beings, and corrupting the youth (246. 9-12). By considering Socrates’ impiety, internal betrayal of the city, and arrogance and hypocritical words, it should be understood that the Athenians were just in their verdict and punishment of Socrates.

He shared his views with many of the men in his city and this made many of them furious. The people in the city wanted their beliefs to love on forever, and their sons to believe in the different Gods. Anti-democratic interpretation of Socrates’ trial and death was that the people of Athens blame him for spreading anti-democratic teachings. He was trialed for teaching one of his pupils, Critias, his ways. Critias then went to try to enforce them.

Socrates did this to show them the difference between truth and what they felt to be true; he would help them see the truth despite their ideas possibly being incorrect 9 (Ethics for life, 13). Most of the time people would not be able to stand firm on their beliefs 10(Britannica). This brought hatred toward Socrates. Eventually they tried Socrates, found him guilty of impiety and demeaning the youth, and executed him in 399 BCE. The reason why the Greeks thought Socrates was corrupting the youth is because he said the gods of Greece were unreliable and lacking 11(Ancient). Plato was emotionally affected by the life and death of Socrates. Socrates work influence Plato so much, he surrounded himself with members of Socrates and became a member himself. Plato’s work was generally stated as “Socratic”, because of how similar his work was to Socrates 12(Britannica).