Was Socrates Guilty

If I had been on the jury in the trial of Socrates I would have voted in favor of his acquittal because he was not corrupting the youth nor was he impious. In my opinion, Socrates did not commit any crime by instructing knowledge to the youth. Meletus had no solid evidence when trying to prove that Socrates was corrupting the youth or that he was impious. If the youth had performed illicit acts against the law due to Socrates teachings then it would have been enough evidence to have found him guilty for corrupting the youth.

Socrates went back and forth explaining his innocence but failed to change the opinions of the jury and judges. He was ultimately sentenced to death. Because Socrates knew he was innocent, he felt as though the only alternative punishment that would be suitable for the so-called crime he committed would be to provide a lifestyle suitable for the likes of celebrities for himself and his family at the cost of the public. He reached this conclusion because he deserted his own affairs and did everything for the benefit of others. “Since I am convinced that I wrong no one, I am not likely to wrong myself, to say that I deserve some evil and to make some such assessment against myself (Cooper, 37)”. The jury could not accept that alternative and asked Socrates to think of a different

Justice and court cases in Athenian democracy had become a place for taking revenge during Socrates trial. A trial in Athens was a speech competition in which opposing parties gave speeches to persuade the general public, in other words the jury of 500, that you had the magic in your words to win your case. Socrates’ accusers charge him of many official and unofficial charges; such as corrupting the youth and making the smaller argument larger. However, Socrates was not guilty of any of the charges made against him, mainly because they were made out of hatred towards Socrates and the new philosophy of life that Socrates had unveiled to the naked eye of the, “men of Athens” (Apology, 18b). Once Socrates finds out about his wisdom he sets out to test it, by asking various people of Athens, questions about the philosophy of life, virtue, and wisdom.

So to sum up the trial, the charges against him were officially two, corrupting the youth and impiety. The two charges were, of course, linked, and, in the relevant senses, he was, we must admit, guilty of at least one of them. For his effect on the lives of the young men who followed him was indeed disrupting, and even corrupting, of the social order. What his followers learned from him above all else, is to do two things. They learned to scrutinize, and they learned to be skeptical. It was not that they mindlessly adopted a motto like "trust no one over 30," or that they became, like many of today 's young people, contrary simply for the sake of being contrary. Rather, they learned not to take on authority or on faith what others told them about virtue, justice, or piety; they were seeking, as was Socrates himself, the truth of the matter and the reasons for taking it to be the truth of the matter. And as we all know, the relentless pursuit of the truth produces enemies. A Socrates may in the long run serve mankind, but in the short run he aggravates virtually everyone around him.

Socrates has gained fame from accepting his death for the charges of corrupting the youth and not believing in the Gods. People have argued and debated the truth behind his guilty sentence. In any case, when someone is judging truth and righteousness they must first look at and interpret the law. For Socrates, the law will work as it is and will not change for him. One may be told that they have been found guilty or innocent of any crime, but the true measure of guilt or innocence is only valid to the person committing the “crime”. Although, there are still many people who believe that Socrates was guilty due to the way he had acted in court. There is also people who believe that Socrates is guilty, but feel that the death penalty was a bit

Plato’s Apology chronicles Socrates’ trial and sentencing, as he faces the formal charge of “corrupting the young” (24b). Socrates’ trial raises two important questions, both of which I intend to address in the following paragraphs: 1) What exactly did Socrates do to warrant the charges brought against him and 2) is he, in fact, guilty of “corrupting the youth?” Though I disagree with Athenian law and take issue with the criminal trial process outlined in the Apology, it appears that Socrates did, in fact, break the law. What exactly did Socrates do to warrant the charges brought against him?

Socrates was put on trial because the accusers believe that he was corrupting the minds of the youth. They claimed that his teachings were being mirrored by the young ones and they were making the people look foolish. However, it can be argued that they were corrupting the minds of the young by not teaching them at all. Another inference that can be made is that the reason behind this whole trial was to get revenge.

Unfortunately, Socrates was accused of impiety and corruption of the youth. Consequently, the courts believed that Socrates was most likely disbelieving their traditional gods and forcing the youth to do the same thing, which is why he was facing the corruption of youth charge. Many people did not like his constant questioning and eventually even the people closest to him turned their backs on him. In the end, Socrates was found guilty of all charges and was facing death by having to drink poison. Socrates could have asked for an alternate sentence, but his principles would not allow it.

This charge was partly brought to Socrates because of his claims to lead by an inner "daemon." Since ancient Greece's religion and laws were intertwined, this could've been problematic for many persons in power at the time. Socrates seemingly threatened to undermine the system in which benefited the societies elite. Since, the citizens (500) in his jury were picked at random and were also from the lower classes, all that was needed by the prosecutor(s) is to persuade the jury that Socrates views threatened to undermine society. Infact, this inner "daemon" was actually Socrates's own intuition.

Throughout the trial, Socrates uses very colloquial diction, frequently verbally attacking the jury for enforcing such unenlightened laws. For example, Socrates likens the jury to “the comedy of Aristophanes” citing their absolute “slander” against him (Apology 19b). He later claims that his “whole care is to commit no unjust or impious deed,” explaining how he has been falsely accused of a truly absurd crime (Apology 32d). Socrates practices what he preaches during the trial, showing how free speech and due process should coexist. While he shows a decent amount of disrespect for the jury, ultimately, he accepts the punishment given: time in jail and a death sentence. In essence, he respects the rule of law, saying that “the law must be obeyed” during the trial (Apology 19a). In Crito, a dialogue between Plato and Socrates following the trial and sentencing, Socrates says that attempting to escape prison would be unethical and unbeneficial to society, explaining that “it would be out of tune” (Crito 43b). Later, I will argue that a lot of the themes that Socrates espouses are consistent with 21st century western republics.

One relevant argument Socrates makes quite well is the fact that those bringing charges against him clearly dislike his character and actions. Socrates openly dissenting with political figureheads such as Meletus and Anytus which spurred their disdain for him. He uses this as a ploy to help his jury find him innocent. Though he is correct in asserting the charges against him are brought because his enemies want to see him dealt with, he is not correct in assuming they are inherently wrong in

The charges against Socrates were brought upon him by a man names Meletus. Meletus was a young man that Socrates did not know very well. These charges brought on by Meletus caused the indictment of Socrates. One of the charges in the affidavit written by Meletus against Socrates is that he is "corrupting the youth." Another charge that is brought upon Socrates is that of he is making up new Gods and disregarding the old Gods the Athenians believe in. These were the charges brought on Socrates.

His position had an immense impact on the guilty verdict of his trial because he behaved arrogantly toward the judges who would choose his verdict and punishment. For example Socrates refused to refer to the judges to the as their titles but only as, Athenians. This caused an outrage towards Socrates this was seen as disrespectful. As well Socrates would talk back to the judges, “Do not interrupt me Athenians, with your shouts. Remember the request which I made to you, and do not interrupt my words”(pg. 41). Logically Socrates should have been much more agreeable towards the judges considering the situation he was in, but in contrast he remained true to his philosophical lifestyle and pursued his innocence in a way he felt was best.

1) What is the charge against Socrates? Who is bringing it—who is angry (behind the scenes)? The charge against Socrates seems to be on what and how he studies, and the fact that he goes about spreading his acquired knowledge to others when he speaks.

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 in which everyone knew about. One trial that stands out is the one against the great philosopher Socrates. Accused of corrupting the youth, being an atheist, and believing in other gods, Socrates faced trial by jury. The early forms of democracy