Socrates' Trial

798 Words2 Pages

In Plato’s: The Apology 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 corrupting the children of Athens. He also was believed to be an atheist, even though Socrates claimed to have a strong belief in the gods; he even believed “The god has commanded me to examine men, in oracles and in dreams and in every which the divine will was ever declared” (pg. 43). Socrates denied all of these charges and claimed his innocence.

The first issue Socrates was sentenced to death because he was found guilty of impiety. Socrates remained true to his belief that he was innocent of this charge. The reasons he gave for his claim were, he believes he is performing the acts of the gods, “And I think no greater good has ever befallen you in the state than my service to the god” (pg. 41). The fact that Socrates mentions the gods and believes he was performing good acts in the gods' name shows the false accusations in the charges of impiety. His guilty charge was made on false evidence, but because Socrates refused to stand up for himself and deny his beliefs of his philosophical lifestyle he was found guilty.

The second issue Socrates was found guilt was because he behaved arrogantly defended his innonoces, and philosophical views the entire trial. He truly believed he was meant to live a philosophical li...

... middle of paper ...

...t of Socrates charges were due to Meletus accusing Socrates of his various crimes.

A second reason to support the issue of Socrates corrupting the minds of young men was the influence of Meletus and his hand in the trail. Socrates had a sour view of Meletus; he was ignorant, arrogant, and unrestrained thus impious. Likewise Socrates wanted believed Meletus destroyed any possibility of genuine education with sophist relativism. Socrates even says before the judges,” They know very well Meletus is lying, and claims speaking the truth”(pg. 43)? For the most part during this trail everyone seems to be against Socrates and his position, comparatively he remains to his standings and never relinquishes what his beliefs are.

There are many issues on why Socrates was found guilty but in comparison he had a very composed argument as to why he claimed his innocence.

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