To Live Or Die Lies In Me Analysis

Socrates went back and forth explaining his innocence but failed to change the opinions of the jury and judges. He was ultimately sentenced to death. Because Socrates knew he was innocent, he felt as though the only alternative punishment that would be suitable for the so-called crime he committed would be to provide a lifestyle suitable for the likes of celebrities for himself and his family at the cost of the public. He reached this conclusion because he deserted his own affairs and did everything for the benefit of others. “Since I am convinced that I wrong no one, I am not likely to wrong myself, to say that I deserve some evil and to make some such assessment against myself (Cooper, 37)”. The jury could not accept that alternative and asked Socrates to think of a different

In addition to Socrates' death not benefiting anyone, his breaking the law would not have the catastrophic effects that he claims. One man breaking the law does not break a system of justice. If we are to consider that the system of justice is in place to benefit people, and his sentence does not benefit anyone, his escape to another city doesn't constitute a major breach in the

He tries to persuade the people of Athens they will have more frustration by sentencing him to death. Socrates declares revenge would come to them; they will experience something more painful then his death. Socrates states, “you will have more critics, whom up till now I have restrained without your knowing it; and being younger they will be harsher to you and will cause you more annoyance” (Plato 68). Socrates tried to persuade his audience that executing him will not stop the problem. Words such as annoyance, harsh, restrained are powerful words used by Socrates. He is trying to show the people of Athens the frustration they have towards Socrates now will be even worse by sentencing him to death. There are more people like him, and they will replace him. There are his students that will pass on his teachings. Therefore, there will be more frustration, anger, and annoyance to be dealt with by the jury. His students will probably continue Socrates’ teachings. By Socrates saying this, it has possibly helped and hurt his argument. On one hand, he is forcing the jury to think allowing Socrates to live will prevent an uproar from his followers. On the other hand, this would enrage the jury due to Socrates creating more thinkers like

Socrates, a classical Greek philosopher, is on trail for which he is found guilty for not paying his respects to the gods recognized by the state in his work and corrupting the youth. While in jail, his very wealthy friend Crito offers him an escape plan, which he adamantly refuses. I agree with the reasons that Socrates gave for refusing to accept Crito’s offer to help him escape. Socrates had many reason for why he was willing to die. Escaping prison would go against Socrates’ beliefs; he feared for the life of those he loved and he knew he would not have an enjoyable life if he did.

Socrates was a man who was passionate of teaching about philosophy. To me, it seemed like he didn’t care what others thought about him, he was just going to keep doing what he was supposed to do. In public, he would discuss moral questions, which at first he was perceived as a harmless man who wasn’t

Though this angered many people, due to him making a fool out of them. His life purpose is what eventually brought him before the council and furthermore, sentenced him to death. He held great wisdoms that could have opened more peoples mind and possibly created a new way of life. Yet, Socrates life was cut short by his execution. Plato wrote Socrates’ execution as a seemingly painless matter, where he slowly became numb from the legs up. Once the numbness reached his heart, Socrates was dead. Many would think this a much more fantastic way to die, compared to Hamlet getting struck with a poisonous sword. Yet, Hamlet’s life purpose was completed before he died. Socrates’ even admits that killing him will be a huge mistake for Athens injuring his life purpose has not been attained: …your killing me will do me less damage than it does for you… what I’m doing now is actually defending you, so that you don’t make a mistake with the god’s gift to you by casting your votes against me. Because if you do put me to death, you won’t easily find anyone else quite like me… Another one like me, Athenians, as I say, it won’t be easy for you to find, and if you take my advice you’ll spare me. (Plato, 30c-31a) With these statements, Socrates makes it clear it will not be easy finding another person with the same qualities as him. Though after Socrates’ was officially sentenced to death, he completely contradicts himself: You’ve acted as you have now

3. The most important information in this article are the values that Socrates demonstrates. Socrates has the opinion that the injustices with his trial and execution are less important than maintaining the integrity of Athens’ laws. These personal values are Socrates’ reasons for not escaping.

Offering to pay a fine of 30 minas as punishment, contemplating the pros and cons of imprisonment and exile. Playing on the mercy of the court, resorting to the very tactics that he criticized others of doing while on trial. Socrates says, “Another such man will not easily come to be among you, gentlemen, and if you believe me you will spare me” (33). In addition, he attempts to appeal to their sense of piety, claiming that by practicing philosophy, he was simply doing the bidding of the god’s and they should not interfere with that. Socrates says, “Indeed, men of Athens, I am far from making a defense now on my own behalf, as might be thought, but on yours, to prevent you from wrongdoing by mistreating the god’s gift to you by condemning me” (33). Why would a man who claimed to have no fear of dying make up a story about being ordained by the gods as a last minute plea for mercy? I do not think that Socrates was afraid of death as much as he was simply not ready. Perhaps he felt as though there was more to be learned or more to be taught and that none of his students were yet worthy of passing the torch, and that his life’s work would have been in

This essay will begin with a detailed explanation as to how Socrates was put into the predicament of being on “death row” as we would say today from the chapter ‘Apology’. The false accusations will be discussed as well as a brief insight into the reason as to why he might have gone along with the whole ordeal. Afterwards,

Finally, the jury made one more vote to decide if Socrates should receive the death penalty. The vote is in favor of the death penalty by a greater margin of two-thirds. Socrates states that he might have saved his life by saying whatever necessary but, he would be disgracing himself. He states that his accusers have been convicted of the depravity of the truth. He tells those who voted to for his innocence to keep his philosophy alive. He states the that the good man has nothing to fear in this life or the afterlife. He concludes by saying "Well, now it is time to be off, I to die and you to live; but which of us has the happier prospect is unknown to anyone but God." This why Socrates is a political martyr, he defended his beliefs until death, even though they were the reason he was sent to die. (Apology 38c-42a)

Even after more than two thousand years, we are still seeking answers for what it means to live a good life. Socrates challenges us to question everything and to think. The students of Socrates, where successful in found their own schools after his teaching. Plato's Academy lasted several centuries. Philosophy not only became a subject to study but a pursuit in life. More important philosophy through Socrates and the affect of Plato became a dominant force in the western consciousness even to today. Socrates was condemned to death by a jury of 501 of his peers. Usually, the accused drink the poison Hemlock at sunset on the day of being found guilty. (Guerber, 1896, P.175). He had to wait a month for his execution (Copleston, 1993 P. 115). The reason for the delay was the law said that during one month of the year no such punishment should be inflicted. (Guerber, 1896, P.175). After the conviction of Socrates by the jury, he makes a proclamation when he tells the jury, he could never keep silent because “the unexamined life is not worth living for human beings” (Jowett,2008, P.46). He could not keep silent as he likens himself to the gadfly and the city-state a horse. A Constant annoyance to the city. Socrates insists we are called to look on what we believe and examine it so that we may live life with

Due to this inherent limit of human wisdom, Socrates demonstrates it is better to receive violence than inflict it upon others. Charged with impiety and corrupting the Athenian youth, Socrates was sentenced to death by the Athenian court. Socrates responded by saying, “I go to die, you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one, except the god” (Plato, The Apology, §42a). Socrates, in his crucible, act upon his convictions and

For instance, he offered other forms of punishments that could’ve fit the crime better in his opinion like getting free meals for life but the jury opted for death which is severe. He keeps his stance and doesn’t fear the outcome because in begging for his life would be cowardly which would lead to an inferior life he wouldn’t want to live. Socrates believes that perception is key to living a life of balance, to avoid being cowardly or pretentious. He simply is who he is and whatever the outcome he will follow through because it is the law. In a way, he thought he’d be able to talk his way out of it since so many

In understanding Socrates; he was an example of a moral hero, we as a society can better understand what it is that we seek in a hero, and how we can improve both ourselves and society through learning from the past. Socrates was put on trial and found guilty for impiety and corruption of the youth. Even though he was innocent and the jury convicted him, Socrates was given the option to escape prison and could live in exile away for the rest of his life. However he chose to stay in prison and die. If he would have escaped, Socrates would have disobeyed everything for which he stood for- the ought to never do wrong. Socrates followed the laws which ordered him to die. He believed “But I see clearly that the time had arrived when it was better for me to die and be released from trouble; wherefore the oracle gave no sign. For which reason, also, I am not angry with my condemners, or with my accusers; they have done me no harm, although they did not mean to do me any good; and for this I may gently blame them” (QUOTE). He was old and had lived a great merciful life prior to

Socrates is one of the three greatest philosophers of Greek classical thought. helped to provide the foundations of Western thought. A number of issues concerning his beliefs remain controversial, and there is still doubt about the reasons for his death and whether he could or should have sought to escape his fate. Socrates dealt with living in poverty, he overcame poverty. He didn't let poverty get to him. , when he was arrested by the state on charges of corrupting the youth of Athens and not worshipping the gods of the city. He was brought to trial and condemned to death. Socrates chose to swallow the hemlock that killed him even though it is likely that he could have escaped from confinement had he so desired. However, Socrates