Post by Stefanie SuaLeilua on Jan 5, 2016 4:44:39 GMT
Week one:
Question 1. Why was Socrates sentenced to death?
Why was Socrates sentenced to death?
Before explaining why Socrates was sentenced to death I will first explain what he was indicted for. Socrates was brought to trial by Meletus, he is of the deme Pitthis (The Socratic Dialogue). Meletus charges Socrates for two reasons, the first for not believing in the Gods recognized by the State, and the second for corrupting the Athenian youth by his teachings (How Socrates Died, pg2 ¶4).
During the trial, Socrates decides to defend himself on both of the charges. According to him in regards to the first charge, he had never, “not believed in the Gods recognized by the State” but has however, also believed in other Gods that the State does not recognize. Socrates brings up an accusation from Meletus, stating that he, Socrates, believed and taught things relating to demons (The Great Mystery p. 41 ¶2). His best defense for the accusation from Meletus is found in The Great Mystery,(page 41, paragraph 4) where is says, “ But if demons are the children of gods, what man can think that there are sons of gods, and yet that there are not gods?” This question contradicts Meletus accusing Socrates of not believing in Gods in general.
For Socrates’ defense on the second charge made against him, he explains that if he did corrupt the youth, he did not do it intentionally and therefore should not be held liable. All that he was doing was trying to find men wiser than him. He would meet these “wise men” and put them to the test by asking certain questions. During his search he found the men who claimed to be wiser, less wise than those who did not claim it at all. During his search, young men, who had free time would follow him willingly and listen to the questions that Socrates would ask. On their own accord, the youths would imitate Socrates by asking other men the questions that Socrates used in his search for men wiser than himself.
Socrates was found guilty on both charges brought against him. I don’t think he was found guilty for the actual accusations, but because if he was found innocent it would not make the politicians look good. Especially since Socrates said that he had not found anyone wiser than him, and that included politicians. Socrates was probably found guilty more on the fact that he was opening up different point of views for the young men which the older government probably did not like. When people learn more things, more questions will arise that will not always have a true answer.
Socrates was sentenced to death to much of his surprise. However, instead of fighting it or trying to escape, even when he had the chance, he accepted the sentence and saw it more as a gift than a punishment. To him, when he dies, his result will to be, ”freed from my cares” (The Apology of Socrates p.56 ¶1).
Question 1. Why was Socrates sentenced to death?
Why was Socrates sentenced to death?
Before explaining why Socrates was sentenced to death I will first explain what he was indicted for. Socrates was brought to trial by Meletus, he is of the deme Pitthis (The Socratic Dialogue). Meletus charges Socrates for two reasons, the first for not believing in the Gods recognized by the State, and the second for corrupting the Athenian youth by his teachings (How Socrates Died, pg2 ¶4).
During the trial, Socrates decides to defend himself on both of the charges. According to him in regards to the first charge, he had never, “not believed in the Gods recognized by the State” but has however, also believed in other Gods that the State does not recognize. Socrates brings up an accusation from Meletus, stating that he, Socrates, believed and taught things relating to demons (The Great Mystery p. 41 ¶2). His best defense for the accusation from Meletus is found in The Great Mystery,(page 41, paragraph 4) where is says, “ But if demons are the children of gods, what man can think that there are sons of gods, and yet that there are not gods?” This question contradicts Meletus accusing Socrates of not believing in Gods in general.
For Socrates’ defense on the second charge made against him, he explains that if he did corrupt the youth, he did not do it intentionally and therefore should not be held liable. All that he was doing was trying to find men wiser than him. He would meet these “wise men” and put them to the test by asking certain questions. During his search he found the men who claimed to be wiser, less wise than those who did not claim it at all. During his search, young men, who had free time would follow him willingly and listen to the questions that Socrates would ask. On their own accord, the youths would imitate Socrates by asking other men the questions that Socrates used in his search for men wiser than himself.
Socrates was found guilty on both charges brought against him. I don’t think he was found guilty for the actual accusations, but because if he was found innocent it would not make the politicians look good. Especially since Socrates said that he had not found anyone wiser than him, and that included politicians. Socrates was probably found guilty more on the fact that he was opening up different point of views for the young men which the older government probably did not like. When people learn more things, more questions will arise that will not always have a true answer.
Socrates was sentenced to death to much of his surprise. However, instead of fighting it or trying to escape, even when he had the chance, he accepted the sentence and saw it more as a gift than a punishment. To him, when he dies, his result will to be, ”freed from my cares” (The Apology of Socrates p.56 ¶1).