As noted in “Apology”, Socrates is trying to defend himself and explain his behavior to the jurymen as he states “I must surely defend myself and attempt to uproot from your minds in so short a time the slander that has resided there so long” (22). Socrates discards exile and prison, and offers to pay a fine only to find out that the jury rejected his proposal and had sentenced him to death. Socrates was against this at first, but then he gives in as he states “He assesses the penalty at death. So be it” (38) because he had decided that he shouldn’t fear something that he has never witnessed before, in this case, death. In “Crito”, Crito comes up with two arguments on the ethical level: if Socrates gave into death, he is helping his foes win by giving in to what they want and he would be leaving behind his sons and family.
Socrates is the philosopher against whom all others are compared, he pioneered philosophical methods, such as elenchus, that are still used today, and his messages are still taught over 2,000 years later. Yet his fellow citizens of Athens felt that his actions were so radical that they threatened Athenian society. Socrates defended his life but in the end he accepted the ruling of the court to put him to death. There are three main reasons why Socrates accepted his death sentence. First, it is better to suffer injustice than to do unjustly.
Socrates was a seeker of self-knowledge and had strong beliefs. He spent most of his life questioning the citizens of Athens on their views and ideas. He was accused of corrupting the youth and by asking questions that ultimately undermined society. During his trial he attempted to deny all accusations against him to prove his innocence. However, he was unsuccessful in his attempt and was found guilty of his accusations and sentenced to death.
Socrates was executed in 399 BCE. He was charged with impiety and corruption of Athenian youth. Before his trial he spoke with a man about the nature of piety in the hopes that his new found knowledge could help him to prove his innocence. As their conversation progresses it becomes clear that Euthyphro has trouble defining what piety and impiety are. It also becomes clear that Socrates seems to have known this all along and is actually trying to show Euthyphro that each man has his own idea of what piety is, and that there is no absolute truth concerning piety or impiety.
In my opinion it lets him relate to the individuals who are witnessing the trail and for those who are brought charges to him and giving him the ability to freely defend himself with the “truth”. He discusses further that his speech is not prepared and improvised unlike his accusers, which their speeches where full of non truth. After questioning Meletus who is the main individual bringing Socrates before the jury on the reasonings behind his claims and somewhat embarrassing him and emphasizing how much the Athenian government needs Socrates to stay relevant through the times. At the end of his disposition the jury finds Socrates guilty, he was given the choice of his punishment and pick death suggested by Meletus, he declared that an appropriate penalty couldn't be insisted since he feels he didn't intentionally wronged
The charges were essentially trumped up, but Socrates was a controversial figure in the city. Also, his behavior at the trial did not make the jury very happy. The jury first voted on his guilt or innocence, and that vote was pretty close, but the majority voted that he was guilty. Then, he was given an opportunity to suggest a punishment, and his speech at that point apparently angered many of the jurors. Many of those who had initially voted for his innocence now voted for capital punishment.His suggestions for punishment included: being awarded a pension from the government for performing a public service and paying a very small fine.
Some of the reasons Crito gave Socrates so he would escape before his execution were: Crito will look bad as a friend if Socrates is put to death (44b). Practical matters are not a problem, shelter and resources will be provided (44e-45c). Putting Socrate in jail was a wrongful action so for Socrates to remain in prison is a wrongful action
Socrates responds to this by telling them that he wasn’t surprised by their decision. He believes that he would rather die than have to conform to what they believe. Socrates says, “for the unexamined life is not worth living.” He also says that death brings on something that is unknown and it could bring peace or it could be bad. He doesn’t want to be quiet and keep his believes to himself. After the court sentences Socrates to death, he ends with a very strong statement.
For the majority of this reading I found myself getting more and more frustrated with his ability to talk in circles over and over until anyone listening would be much inclined to simply do away with him. He certainly didn’t make anything easy on himself or let anyone be easy on him. It’s almost as if he wanted to make it difficult for people to be on his side. I agree with Socrates because when it all boils down to the facts he was innocent. He made very intelligent arguments contradicting his accusers and stuck to his principles all the way to his sentencing of death.
Brutus's tragic flaw was that he was too trusting. He frankly and honestly felt that he had had to kill Caesar in order to save Rome from tyranny. He trusted Antony not to blame the conspirators in his speech at Caesar's funeral. Antony broke that promise and got Brutus and the others into deep trouble. Brutus also trusted Cassius.