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Charges Against Socrates

In Plato's Apology, Socrates is charged as an "evil-doer who . . . makes the worse appear the better cause; and he teaches the aforesaid doctrines to others" (65). It is also charged that Socrates "corrupts the youth; and who does not believe in the gods of the state, but has other new divinities of his own" (74). Clearly, then, if true, from the point of view of the state, Socrates is a traitor to the state because if he is successful in his efforts he will cause many people, especially impressionable youth, to question the very authority of the state, which could lead to rebellion against the state. Whether this is what Socrates intends, this is nevertheless the way his prosecutors see his efforts. In fact, considering that Socrates could have easily fled and saved his life, his actions and decisions right up to the moment of his death are testimony to his loyalty to the state and his willingness to obey its laws and abide by its decision in his case.

Socrates argues that the charges are false, that they were brought against him by people with ulterior motives having nothing to do with the search for truth or the good of Athens or its people, and that instead of being punished for impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens, he should be treated as a hero.

Socrates "apology" for philosophy, actually a powerful and humble defense of philosophy, offers a self-portrait based not on impiety or pride or false gods or corruption or teaching lies for pay, but rather on a vigilant attention to and exposure of shoddy thinking and false wisdom and knowledge.

Socrates asks how he can be accused of putting himself and his knowledge above others, of putting his version of reality above that of the city's, when in fact the basis of his philosophy is that he knows nothing and knows that he knows nothing. All he has done his whole life is attempt to rationally

--and civilly--expose those who claim to know something---or everything---...

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Charges Against Socrates. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 21:41, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1691567.html