The trial of Socrates was held in 399 BC. The philosopher was held on account of two charges, the corruption of youth, and impiety. The accusers cited two impious acts by Socrates, failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges, and introducing new deities (Jowett). Socrates was born in about 469 BC in Athens, Greece. He lived during a time considered to be the golden age of Athens because of the great contributions to art and philosophy that occurred in this time period. Although Socrates
The Apology is the speech that was delivered by Socrates in his death trial. In the Athenian jury, an apology was composed of three parts. The first was the speech, which was followed by a counter-assessment, and then the final words. The word apology comes from a Greek word, “Apologia,” which means not regretting anything. His intention during the apology was not to acquit himself from any accusations, but to ensure that he would be found guilty and hence be condemned to death. Yet, if he believed
The Trial of Socrates The trial of Socrates is an excellent source of events during the period in which Socrates lived and died. Athens was a democratic city with much pride in their freedom. Especially their freedom of speech. Socrates was a political philosopher who did not agree with these freedoms provided by the Athenic democracy. However, it is his trial in which both the democracy of Athens and Socrates himself show their hypocrisy. It is this hypocrisy that makes the trial and death
Socrates' Trial In 399 B.C., Socrates, a seventy year old man, was brought to trial. He faced several accusations of different sorts. Initially, the court had pronounced Socrates guilty. However, because the law had no penalty ordained for his offense, it was required of Socrates to propose his own penalty, or to take the one suggested by Meletos, the death penalty. When the time had come for Socrates to state his defense, he addressed each of the accusations made against him, one by one,
In the spring of 399 BCE, A man named Socrates was put on trial in front of his native Athenians. Facing the charges of not acknowledging the gods the city acknowledges, and introducing other new divinities. In addition, He is also charged with corrupting the youth of Athens. The affidavit introduced by Meletus demands the penalty of death. These are very serious charges and the demand of death should not be taken lightly. Yet Meletus is ignorant about what he claims and his accusations can easily
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 portrayal of Socrates, through the book “the trial and death of Socrates” is one that has created a fairly controversial character in Western history. In many ways, Socrates changed the idea of common philosophy in ancient Greece; he transformed their view on philosophy from a study of why the way things are, into a consideration man. Specifically, he analyzed the virtue and health of the human soul. Along side commending Socrates for his strong beliefs, and having the courage to stand by those
Socrates was accused of being a sophist because he was "engaging in inquiries into things beneath the earth and in the heavens, of making the weaker argument appear the stronger," and "teaching others these same things." (Apology, Plato, Philosophic Classics page 21) Socrates is also accused of denying the existence of the gods, and corrupting the youth. Socrates goes about trying to prove his innocence. The jury that Socrates was tried by was made up of 501 Athenian citizens of all classes of
prominent of the intellectuals was Socrates, of Athens, whose principles and doctrine dates back to 400 B.C. A man of oral tradition, his beliefs and ideals were never transcribed as he sought the best method for human understanding and communication was to be verbally as opposed to written, as his mentee Plato conversely believed in. Socrates’ intellect often misunderstood, was used in comedic theatrical productions by Aristophanes. Aristophanes sought to delegitimize Socrates as an intellectual by portraying
Athenian philosophers who founded Western philosophy, Socrates was a mysterious figure known essentially through the accounts of later classical writers, especially from writings of his students Xenophon and the most popular Plato. Through Plato’s dialogues, Socrates has been portrayed and renowned for his involvement in the field of moral principles, and by this the concepts of Socratic irony and the Socratic Method had come about. With Socrates’ pedagogy, a series of questions can be asked not only
INTRODUCTION “The death of Socrates has had a huge and almost continuous impact on western culture” (Wilson 1). Socrates life, trial, and death are all important parts of history. Socrates was a philosopher in Athens who believed in using reason to explain different aspects of life. During his lifetime, he not only tried to help develop his own mind and understanding of life, but also those around him. He often tried to teach the adolescence and get them to use their minds. Socrates enjoyed teaching children
The trial of Socrates in Athens is both similar and different from the trial of Jesus of Nazareth. The trials could be compared in three main areas: the evidence and reasons provided for their executions, their last messages to their accusers, and the two leaders’ thoughts about their impending deaths. For both figures, there is no evidence to support their convictions and they are convicted for similar reasons, though Jesus is given less time to defend himself. Both Jesus and Socrates warn their
and “Euthyphro”, Plato creates a picture of the principles Socrates has on philosophy and wisdom. Since there are know direct pieces of literature written by Socrates, all of the information about him are composed by other Philosophers who encountered him. So when I refer to Socrates, it means the character depicted by Plato. I will argue that some important characteristics of philosophy and being a philosopher is evident by comparing Socrates with Euthyphro because of how he sees knowledge is obtained
Socrates was a great Greek philosopher (Athenian) around 469 BC – 399 BC. He is known as one of the most important figures and one of the founders of European philosophy. Socrates never wrote philosophical texts. All the writings that exist and everything about Socrates such as his life and philosophy were from the writings of his students, mainly from Plato. In Plato’s eyes, Socrates was an idol, a saint, a prophet and a master in philosophy.1 However, others viewed him as a pathetic, ugly and annoying
presents Socrates arguments clearly and precisely. Socrates is wise man with a different perspective on life, which presents us with a mass of contradictions. Socrates is an expressive man, yet he never recorded any works. He is ignorant, but wrongfully convicted who is willing to fight his unjust execution. Behind these dilemmas is an opposition not often explored. Socrates is the most patriotic of philosophers, who is dedicated to his state. Exploring this contradiction between Socrates the loyal
The Apology of Socrates: Guilty or Innocent? 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 the validity
have invited you here today to inform you of this atrocity that is happening to my friend, it would be a disservice to him if I did not inform you of what’s happening to him. I know that you have not spoken to or seen him in a while, but madam, your Socrates is about to be tried for poisoning the youth of Athens. By poison, he has developed a following where he has convinced the youth to not believe in the same Gods as the city does, and
The Defence of Socrates chronicles Socrates’ trial, which the elite members of Athenian society conducted in order to determine whether or not Socrates was guilty of the charges against him. Those charges included: 1) refusing to believe in the gods of the City; 2) corrupting the youth; and 3) introducing gods of his own in place of the Athenian deities. Although Socrates believed, along with his loved ones, Plato, and his students, that he was wrongly accused and was served an injustice by
Evil Socrates and His Quote Today a Greek philosopher and instructor known as Socrates is in the history books. Socrates did not believe in the gods, which was the key reason that led to his death. During his time there were many who disagreed with him and were concerned that he educated students for the worst. It was obvious why many did not like Socrates. He once stated “An unexamined life is not worth living”, these words can be harsh, especially to his students. This quote can have multiple meanings;
Socrates opened his speech by simply stating, “hardly a word they [his accusers] have said is true.” (17a 4-5) He then addressed that his accusers warned the jury that Socrates was “a clever speaker”. (17b 1) Socrates went on to refute this claim as well, unless they “call a ‘clever’ speaker one who speaks the truth,” if so then he was a “clever speaker”. (17b 5-6) Socrates explained that he has no experience in court, so he was not sure what appropriate speech was for court. He concluded that