What Are The Charges Against Socrates - 1019 Words

Maria Suleman Professor Nathan Poage Introduction to philosophy PHIL 1301 30 October 2015 What are the charges against Socrates as recorded in the Apology. Is he guilty of them? Why or why not? The Apology is assumed to be the most realistic account that has been conserved of Socrates defense of himself as it was presented before the Athenian Council. It is in essential agreement with the references to the trial that occur in Plato s other dialogs. We may determine that Apology is not written by Socrates and only contains the words of Socrates that were memorized by Plato, since he was present at the time of the trial. However, we know that Socrates was Plato’s teacher and had been admired by him a lot. We should bear in mind that Plato’s views about Socrates’s trial could be biased. But on the other hand it is quite possible that Socrates defense of himself was even convincing than what has been reported by Plato. The charges against Socrates were brought by two type of accusers, the older and ancient ones and the later brought by Anytus, Meletus and others who were present at the time of trial. We’ll discuss all the charges one by one and wha t did Socrates say in his defense. The first charge that he summed up in his speech was â€Å"Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath, and made the worse appear the better† (Plato 18). Socrates defended these accusations by saying that they were based entirely on falsehoods, andShow MoreRelatedSocrates Method of Cross-Examine Essay example1392 Words   |  6 Pagesargue that Socrates does not typically benefit those that he cross-examines, but that his activity is nonetheless useful and justified. I will argue that Socrates’ cross-examinations are justified and useful because it is a divine mission and because it develops critical thinking skills. I will argue my thesis by first, using The Apology and Euthyphro dialogues to show the usefulness and justification of Socrates’ elenchus. Second, I will suggest objections to the reasons why Socrates’ elenchus isRead MoreA Just Man Should Fear No Death in the Apology by Plato Essay825 Word s   |  4 Pagesby Plato, and relates Socrates’ defense at his trial on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates argues that he is innocent of both charges. His defense is ultimately unsuccessful, and he is convicted and sentenced to death. Socrates concludes the Apology by arguing that a just man should have no fear of death. Socrates defends himself against the charges brought against him by his prosecutor Meletus in two ways. One way consists of a description of Socrates’ motivation and methodRead MoreAn Unexamined Life Of Socrates1199 Words   |  5 Pages An Unexamined Life Lyndsey Emry PHIL 1381-17 Introduction to Philosophy Professor Bannister When studying Socrates, you the reader must come up with your point of view and take what Socrates is trying to teach into your own approach. You must also think why Socrates choose the words he choose. Socrates careful choice of words give much color to his quote, â€Å"an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live.† The word examined for example has many definitions, including: toRead MoreThe Charges Against Socrates Essay640 Words   |  3 PagesThe Charges Against Socrates 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. TheseRead MoreSocrates : Not Guilty1610 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates: Not Guilty Intro (138) In 399 BC, when he was seventy years old, Socrates was called into court by three men: Meletus, a poet, Anytus, a politician, and Lycon, an orator. The specific charges were impiety (namely that he did not believe in the gods of Athens, and instead had introduced new gods), and corruption of the youth of the city. The account of Socrates’ trial is preserved in the Apology by Plato, a dialogue that ought not to be considered a verbatim report of Socrates’ defenseRead MoreEssay about Four Charges Brought Agains Socrates in the Apology by Plato1029 Words   |  5 Pagesessay I will talk about four charges that were brought against Socrates in the work Apology by Plato. After describing the charge I will then go on to talk about why I think each of them are completely fake. There were four charges that were brought against Socrates. They were that he argued the weaker claim over the stronger claim, that he argue the physical over the metaphysical, that he was against the gods and that he was corrupting the youth. All of these charges are completely and utterly fakeRead More Argument in the Apology Essay897 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosopher Plato is whether, notorious speaker and philosopher Socrates is corrupting the youth by preaching ungodly theories and teaching them unlawful ideas that do harm to individuals and society. In his words Socrates quoted the prosecution’s accusation against him: â€Å"Socrates is guilty of corrupting the minds of the young, and of believing in supernatural things of his own invention instead of the gods recognized by the state.† 1 Further Socrates consistently introduces tediously compiled number of examplesRead MoreEssay on Platos Apology932 Words   |  4 Pagesof seventy, Socrates found himself fighting against an indictment of impiety. He was unsuccessful at trial in the year 399 B.C. The charges were corrupting the youth of Athens, not believing in the traditional gods in whom the city believed, and finally, that he believed in other new divinities. In Platos Apology, Socrates defends himself against these charges. He claims that the jurors opinions are biased because they had probably all seen Aristophanes comedy The Clouds. The Socrates portrayedRead MoreApology Paper1168 Words   |  5 PagesRichard March 15, 2013 Apology Paper In Apology by Plato, Socrates, who is convicted and sentenced to death by the jury of Athenian citizens, not only pleads his innocence, but also expresses his opinion on democracy. The speeches and dialogues Socrates makes in this book raises a question for the reader whether the jury of Athenian citizens is justified in convicting Socrates and condemning him to death. Although Socrates believes that he is innocent, the jury has justification. It is myRead MoreSocrates Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesSocrates Socrates spent his time questioning people about things like virtue, justice, piety and truth. The people Socrates questioned are the people that condemned him to death. Socrates was sentenced to death because people did not like him and they wanted to shut him up for good. There was not any real evidence against Socrates to prove the accusations against him. Socrates was condemned for three major reasons: he told important people exactly what he thought of them, he questioned ideas