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Socrates Was Not Afraid To Die

 

             This paper will argue and prove that Socrates had no fear of death. Through the course of his trial he made many references to death and his perception of it, and was convinced that it was not an evil and nothing to be afraid of. The evidence of this is shown in the way Socrates willingly put his life at risk throughout its course, through his determination not to give up his Elenchus in exchange for his life, in his belief that his death was destined and that he was aware of it, in his refusal to solicit for his life through means available to him, and through his belief that death was more likely a good rather than an evil. .
             During the course of the trial Socrates openly admitted to having done things that he knew would put his life at risk. These events occurred earlier in his life, and although Socrates was stating them for use in his defence, they showed that he would rather pursue his beliefs and way of life than fear his death as a consequence. When he spoke about his encounter with the god of Delphi, he tells of the many wise men whose wisdom he questioned and refuted, thereby making enemies of them:.
             When I began to talk with him, I could not help thinking that he was not really wise, although he was thought wise by many, and wiser still by himself; and I went and tried to explain to him that he thought himself wise, but was not really wise; and the consequence was that he hated me, and his enmity was shared by several who were present and heard me. (Kolak 3).
             He then went on to say, "Then I went to another, who had still higher philosophical pretensions, and my conclusion was exactly the same. I made another enemy of him, and of many others besides him. After this I went to one man after another, being not unconscious of the enmity which I provoked This investigation has led to my having many enemies of the worst and most dangerous kind." (Kolak 4) Socrates knew the kinds of men he was making enemies of, and yet he did not relent in offending them out of fear for his own life.


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