Socrates Guilty or Innocent of Charges Essay - 2093 Words

Socrates: Was He Guilty or Innocent of the Crimes He Was Charged With? Most of the information that we learn about Socrates comes from the work and writings of one of his students, Plato. It has been alleged that the great Philosopher wrote nothing down for others to read, and as such, the knowledge and the teachings from Socrates that is relied upon to convey his philosophy and the epic story of his life comes not from himself, but his students who attempt to provide and accurate picture of the methods and philosophical beliefs held by their mentor and teacher. The Apology is one of the many written dialogues written by Plato that discuss how Socrates was arrested and charged with corrupting the youth of Athens; teaching†¦show more content†¦However, his defense lacked meaning for the jurors and was met with disbelief. Plato, himself, wonders if Socrates in a sense, was his own worst enemy by making statements contrary, stating that he had attained a type of wisdom that the jurors lacked and that was a solid awareness of his own ignorance an d lack of knowledge. The goal of Socrates never ending questions, it appears, is to help the common person achieve the self knowledge that he had acquired, even if it ended up hurting himself in the end. He attempts to use his Sophist thinking in his defense, not understanding himself that this way of logically thinking rarely if ever is successful unless you are speaking with, or arguing against shares your way of thinking and philosophy. Although, I truly believe that the death sentence was barbaric and unnecessary, it really was Socrates who determined his own fate. Even after his conviction he refused to sway from his philosophical ideologies and belief system. Given the choice of being exiled from Athens or committing himself to abandon his techniques of talking with and questioning others openly, he maintained that and unexamined life is not worth living, (Apology 38a) and would rather die that not practice and teach his Philosophy to others. Platos highly regarded depic tion of a man willing to faceShow MoreRelated Argument in the Apology Essay897 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosopher Plato is whether, notorious speaker and philosopher Socrates is corrupting the youth by preaching ungodly theories and teaching them unlawful ideas that do harm to individuals and society. In his words Socrates quoted the prosecution’s accusation against him: â€Å"Socrates is guilty of corrupting the minds of the young, and of believing in supernatural things of his own invention instead of the gods recognized by the state.† 1 Further Socrates consistently introduces tediously compiled number of examplesRead MoreSocrates Trial Essay807 Words   |  4 PagesApology Socrates was charged and put on trial for impiety, as well as accused of committing many other crimes. I will first explain the most important issues of why Socrates was sent to death. Then I will argue the position that Socrates is innocent, and should not be have been found guilty. To introduce, Socrates was placed on trial and charged with the crime of impiety. Impiety is the lack of reverence for the gods and other sacred things. As well another major claim was that Socrates was corruptingRead MoreEssay Is Socrates Guilty As Charged?1134 Words   |  5 Pagesquot;Is Socrates Guilty As Charged?quot; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In any case of law, when one is considering truth and justice, one must first look at the validity of the court and of the entity of authority itself. In Socrates case, the situation is no different. One may be said to be guilty or not of any said crime, but the true measure of guilt or innocence is only as valid as the court structure to which it is subject to. Therefore, in considering whether Socrates is guilty or notRead More The Apology of Socrates: Guilty or Innocent? Essay928 Words   |  4 PagesThe Apology of Socrates: Guilty or Innocent?   Ã‚   In any case of law, when considering truth and justice, one must first look at the validity of the court and the system itself.   In Socrates case, the situation is no different.   One may be said to be guilty or innocent of any crime, but guilt or innocence is only as valid as the court it is subjected to.   Therefore, in considering whether Socrates is guilty or not, it must be kept in mind the norms and standards of Athens at that time, and theRead MoreEssay on Socrates Was NOT Guilty1667 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Socrates, in his conviction from the Athenian jury, was both innocent and guilty as charged. In Plato’s Five Dialogues, accounts of events ranging from just prior to Socrates’ entry into the courthouse up until his mouthful of hemlock, both points are represented. Socrates’ in dealing with moral law was not guilty of the crimes he was accused of by Meletus. Socrates was only guilty as charged because his peers had concluded him as such. The laws didn’t find Socrates guilty; Socrates was guiltyRead MoreIs Socrates Innocent or Guilty? Essay1379 Words   |  6 PagesIs Socrates Innocent or Guilty? Living in a democracy, everyone is exposed through television and other various forms of media everyday to numerous trials by jury. Usually they are rarely given a second thought, but every once in a while along comes a specific trial which captures the attention of the entire country. This goes the same for trials throughout centuries in our past. Although they did not have the same forms of media as in this, modern era, there were still specific trials inRead MoreA Just Man Should Fear No Death in the Apology by Plato Essay825 Words   |  4 Pagesby Plato, and relates Socrates’ defense at his trial on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates argues that he is innocent of both charges. His defense is ultimately unsuccessful, and he is convicted and sentenced to death. Socrates concludes the Apology by arguing that a just man should have no fear of death. Socrates defends himself against the charges brought against him by his prosecutor Meletus in two ways. One way consists of a description of Socrates’ motivation and methodRead MoreThe Trial of Socrates1543 Words   |  7 PagesIn the trial of Socrates, I juror number 307, Ryan Callahan vote the defendant is Not Guilty on the first charge of Corrupting the youth. My justifications for this vote are as follows. Socrates didn t corrupt the youth, he just shared his ideas with them and they in turn chose the path to take these ideas. Part of understanding this case is understand the time in which the case was held. This time being 399 B.C., a time in which Athens was a free democratic city, a town which prided itselfRead MoreSocrates Accusers Essay800 Words   |  4 Pages399 BC, Socrates was executed on charges of not believing in the same Gods as Athenians, and for being a bad influence on the young. Were these charges just and fair? No, they were not. Socrates was not guilty of these charges. In fact, in the presence of his accusers, Socrates proved that he was an innocent man and was simply in the process of carrying out his mission to share truth in an attempt to improve the lives of his neighbors. Though with no avail, Socrates was still found guilty of crimesRead MoreEssay on A Hoax in Court: The Trial of Socrates1547 Words   |  7 PagesAlbert Einstein quoted, â€Å"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same† (Brainy Quote). Were justice and truth a part of Socrates’ trial? The primary question is: what is justice? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of justice is: â€Å"the administration of law, especially the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity.† Meletus brought