When Did Socrates Put On Trial Essay
In today’s society we are told that if we are put on trial we are judged by a jury of our own peers, a right an attorney, and that we are innocent until proven guilty. When Socrates was put on trial he was given none of these, to be fair he decided not to have a lawyer. Socrates was charged for not believing in the gods that the state believed in and corrupting the youth, brought to the court by Meletus and others.
Socrates’ starts his defense by stating that all he will do is speak the truth and not waste time telling stories. “So they, as I say, have said little or nothing true, while from me you will hear the whole truth—but by Zeus, men of Athens, not beautifully spoken speeches like theirs” (46). He also does not refer to the people who brought the charges on him by name, only by “accusers”. Socrates also states later that he knows he is not well liked in the city because he has trapped nearly everyone, including most of the jury in a philosophical conundrum. For me the fact that Socrates does not know who is accusers are and that he is being …show more content…
This man seems to me, men of Athens, to be very hubristic and unrestrained, and simply to have brought this indictment with a certain hubris and unrestraint and youthful rashness. (53)
Later in Plato’s story “Crito” Socrates tells a story where he was walking down from the Acropolis after worshiping Athena a child came up to him asking questions about laws and politics.
After being convicted of his ‘crimes’, he is given an opportunity from his friends to escape, but he refuses. The main reason is that the people will know that they convicted an innocent man because they were annoyed with Socrates. When he is dead he will go to the underworld and be able to talk to far more interesting people. Also the people of Athens would only get a break from Socrates. When they die he’ll be there to greet them, and they can’t run away from him where they’re
Socrates’ starts his defense by stating that all he will do is speak the truth and not waste time telling stories. “So they, as I say, have said little or nothing true, while from me you will hear the whole truth—but by Zeus, men of Athens, not beautifully spoken speeches like theirs” (46). He also does not refer to the people who brought the charges on him by name, only by “accusers”. Socrates also states later that he knows he is not well liked in the city because he has trapped nearly everyone, including most of the jury in a philosophical conundrum. For me the fact that Socrates does not know who is accusers are and that he is being …show more content…
This man seems to me, men of Athens, to be very hubristic and unrestrained, and simply to have brought this indictment with a certain hubris and unrestraint and youthful rashness. (53)
Later in Plato’s story “Crito” Socrates tells a story where he was walking down from the Acropolis after worshiping Athena a child came up to him asking questions about laws and politics.
After being convicted of his ‘crimes’, he is given an opportunity from his friends to escape, but he refuses. The main reason is that the people will know that they convicted an innocent man because they were annoyed with Socrates. When he is dead he will go to the underworld and be able to talk to far more interesting people. Also the people of Athens would only get a break from Socrates. When they die he’ll be there to greet them, and they can’t run away from him where they’re