Socrates

The Apology was very interesting to read. Although it was somewhat difficult to adjust to the format, after grasping the literature I was able to understand the story perfectly. Socrates was a very wise, rational, and understanding individual. Many of his claims and theories were questioned and eventually socially condemned many. Socrates formed a bandwagon of citizens in Athens who wanted to convict him for his works. Earlier accusations were made before the profession of Meltus was ever started, however; it was Meltus brought up some of the first accusations against Socrates. The accusations was, “Socrates is guilty of wrongdoing in that he busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the stronger argument, and he teaches these same things to others.”(pg.4) To defend him self from earlier accusations, Socrates turned to the god of Delphi has witness to the existence and nature of wisdom Socrates has. Socrates compared his knowledge against poets, craftsman, and politicians. He claims these actions and respectful debates made him unpopular and slanderous rumors circulated from the bystanders and individuals involved.

Meltus was also involved in the second set of accusations stating, “Socrates is guilty of corrupting the young and of not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other new spiritual things.” Meltus believes Socrates single handedly corrupted the minds of the youth in Athens. Socrates claims if he were to be guilty it was unwillingly and he should not be brought to court to be punished, rather be simply instructed to do differently. Before the first conviction, Socrates stated he would chose the gods side over the courts and risk death and continue to practice philosophy and teach the youth than stop by court order.

The jury concluded Socrates was guilty and Meltus proposed to vote for the detah penalty. Socrates accepts the conviction, stating he was not surprised it had been by so few votes. He believed he beat the charges accused by Meltus because of the number of votes in his favor. After the jurycome back to court, they announced Socrates was to be sentenced to death. A court order he does not argue or weep about. Rather, Socrates explains he was close to death he is, and he knew his defense was not the defense his jury or spectators wanted to see. He would rather die through the death penalty than die of old age and represent himself through apologies for wrong doing and tears. Socrates finished by explaining the vengeance the people that killed him would immediately feel. The story then ends with this final quote by Socrates, “Now the hour to part has come. I go to die, you go to live. Which of us goes to the better lot is known to no one, except the god.” (pg.20)