Crito told Socrates that it will be worth sneaking out and living so that he can raise his children, continue his teachings and that Socrates is welcomed to Thessaly. However, Socrates defends his decision of being executed by saying that it is never good to injustice in response to injustice. Socrates entered into a contract with the Law and then can’t decide if it is just or unjust to sneak out of jail, since he got to choose whether to be exiled or executed, could he not just change his mind and decide to be exiled? Socrates defends his case and must come up with a decision on whether to sneak out or stay in jail and accept his death, like he has already done. I view it as Socrates staying in jail.
Socrates asked the jury to focus on the substance of his defense, not how his defense is delivered. He states to the jury that he is not a sophist, they were known for charging fees for their work and Socrates did not charge a fee for his words (Perel). Socrates decides to cross-examine Meletus, he turns the tables on his accuser and accuses Meletus of "dealing frivolously with serious matters (Perel). Socrates says that the youth he supposedly corrupts follows him around on
He believes the city is suffering because the murderer of king Laius has not been discovered and punished. He says, “I swear by Apollo that I will bring this to light again” (50-51). In his pride, he is sure he can solve the problems of Thebes. Oedipus’ arrogance continues to grow in the middle of the play. Teiresias says, “All of you here know nothing, and I will not bring our troubles to the light of day” (98-99).
He rejected his punishments for him because they contradicts to his ideals of truth and justice. His defense for his ideals caused his death in the end. The punishments given to Socrates were exile, giving up on his philosophy and death. Socrates refused to be exiled for punishment because that would send him wandering around and be resented by more people. He also reject the condition to give up his philosophy in return forgiveness from the court.
When you can admit your own short comings you open yourself to accept someone else’s knowledge on the subject you are unfamiliar with. If Meno had not admitted to this, he would have never became wiser on the subject and assume his thoughts on virtue were to correct ones. This is the lesson that would be a benefit to Anytus and Meletus. By being open to new thoughts and having an acceptance of not being all knowing would in turn benefit all of Athens, for they respect Anytus’s thoughts. Anytus shows his ignorance and unwillingness to accept Socrates’s teachings when Anytus tells Socrates that he has never even spoken to a Sophist or ever meeting one.
This is exemplified by Charlie Dalton when he refused to do his walk when Keating ordered them to do so and when he changed his name to Nawanda which is a unique name. Keating encourages his students to don’t just consider what the author thinks when they read but consider what they think themselves; quoting Thoreau who said “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation. Don’t be resigned to that. Break out!” Emerson also wrote “To believe in your own thought, to believe what is true for you, in your private heart is true, that is genius!” Another element is the concept of “Carpe Diem” which was demonstrated by Knox who seized the day when he finally acted upon by his desire to call Chris. The third element is spirituality in nature as shown by the recitation of poem and the chanting of the boys in an Indian cave.
Much of what Socrates uses to defend himself proves otherwise; this is proven in the story of the Oracle from Delphi. What does Socrates think of the gods? Socrates seems to contradict himself on several occasions on this issue. As Socrates defends his charge of atheism proposed by his accusers, he is able to prove to one of his accusers, Meletus, that he believes in the gods. In this essay I will prove that Socrates is in fact not a religious person, but he has had to act religious all his life as so he wouldn’t ever be accused for something such as this and uses this act to completely disprove the accusations made against him.
This lack of self-centeredness is observed through the actions of Hector throughout the entire epic and his compassion for others is prominent in his notion of Greek justice. When Hector firsts steps into the plot of the Iliad, we witness his passion to fight and protect his city. In fact, Hector calls out his brother for not fighting. If Paris had not taken Helen as his prize, then this war may have never occurred. In book three, after Paris’ responds to Hector’s criticisms, Paris offers to prove himself in a fight with Menelaus in order to settle the war.
To be truly free the right to live should be your sole right, thus if we are to take Socrates opinion we as men are not free. Contrasting this to modern times, it is against the law that one man takes the life of another since it infringes on the basic right of man to live. However, for committing murder a man may be sentenced to death by the government. If we are considering Socrates philosophy does it mean man is really the property of his government? Socrates’ opinions raises questions
Socrates was eventually convicted by the jury and soon sentenced to death. His execution was continuously delayed by because of religious festivals which prevented all executions and wars at the time. Socrates was innocent and ultimately had perpetrated not only capital offense, but the Athenians in charge simply did not understand nor did they try understand his teachings, therefore did not like Socrates. Socrates was given the option to have the Athenians kill him or to die by suicide by ingesting poison, which is ultimately the choice he made. However before his death, Socrates continued his trek on philosophy and thinking and tried to save himself through his own works and philosophical justifications.