The Trial of Socrates

... an old man, who has lived long than most people usually do. He knows that this trial is just a formality and his death has already been decided. They are letting him defend himself as part of this formality. But Socrates has no qualms with going to the after life. In fact, he is happy to go to a place were he could continue his philosophizing ... and examine people there as [he does] here, as to who among them is wise." (p. 42) Socrates is not scared of crossing over from the mortal plane, but welcomes it. Socrates would rather be put to death than be living a lie, and thus he chooses t...

• Word Count: 366
• Approx Pages: 1
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The Trial of Socrates is an excellent reminder of the happenings during the period in which Socrates lived and died. Author I.F. Stone provides a historical story of the events leading up to the trial, as well as the trial itself, through the writings of Xenophon and Plato, as well as several other sources. In addition to the historical aspects, the writer gives his personal interpretations of certain events with great detail and support. From cover to cover, the book provides an excellent ... attacking him for not believing in the gods that the state believes in. These two vague statements a...

• Word Count: 2295
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... never left any works or written down anything about himself. In addition, Plato wrote the text several years after Socrates' defense, therefore, it might involve some inaccurate descriptions of the historical events. He may even make up some parts of the speech while transcribing Socrates' words. In Apology, Plato potentially expresses the intentions of Socrates at the trial. Through explaining this philosophy, challenging authority and power and waking up people, Plato shows ... Socrates teaching Athenian people until his last breath rather than try to convince jurymen to survive after...

• Word Count: 1497
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... as crimes such as blasphemy and corrupting the youth. The Athenians were wrong for charging Socrates with both crimes of corrupting the youth, and blasphemy and executing him for them. Through his conviction we can also see the flaws of the democracy of Athens and how democracy has failed Socrates. The Trial of Socrates also helps in the further understanding of why Socrates did not believe in the democratic system of government. Socrates was charged with blasphemy for worshipping strange ... gods. Blasphemy is " in religion, words or actions that display irreverence toward or contempt ...

• Word Count: 944
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 ... to a conclusion about the trial resulting in his execution, "I regard thi...

• Word Count: 1961
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography

... that could hurt any philosopher. These men say that Socrates doesn't believe in the Gods and he makes the worse the stronger argument just to harm him and belittle. At the trial Socrates defends himself from the prosecution of Meletus by confronting him on his charge of corrupting the youth and not believing in the Gods. Socrates confronts Meletus and tries to get out of Meletus what exactly he has done wrong. Meletus ... is unclear in saying that he doesn't believe in the Gods and Socrates gets him to get his stories all mixed ... question and answer routine further messing up Meletus ...

• Word Count: 857
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... 70 years old and had become a widely recognized citizen of Athens, therefore allowing the trial to leave its stain on history forever. It is Socrates "defense" at the trial that gave rise to a great piece of philosophical literature being that of Plato's apology. We understand that the apology is an account of Socrates defense written by Plato who was present at the trial. However, Socrates" apology was not merely a speech or defense; it is ... a literary testimony of his life and ultimately, his philosophy. Through investigating Socrates" defense and noting how successful his defense w...

• Word Count: 2000
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... supplied in the very reasoning behind his trial and subsequent death sentence. I will further argue that some of the Socratic principles could be taken for the greater good of our society, though certainly not all. I will rely on two of Plato's works in my argument, The Apology and The Crito. Issues that I will base my argument on are the important questions of Truth, Justice, Death and State Law. In The Apology, Socrates sets ... seem doubtful. Sometimes for example, ignorance is individual responsibility. Aristotle's assertion about weakness of will, where in certain situations the mo...

• Word Count: 1394
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... did for his own life, even though they were putting him on trial. This was easily portrayed in the quote, "if you kill the sort of man I say I am, you will not harm me more than yourselves" (pg. 33,30c-d). By saying this, I believe Socrates was stating that so many people were unaware of how to find truth, and they would only hurt themselves by ... Socrates about death. Although he was being condemned to death, Socrates managed to look at death not as an end, but a beginning. I believe that the quote, "if you kill the sort of man I say I am, you will not harm me more than yourselves", vi...

• Word Count: 811
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School