Validity in the Charges of Impiety against Socrates Impiety is commonly defined as a lack of proper concern for the obligations owed to public religious observation. Plato’s Apology consists of a speech made by Socrates, a well-known philosopher, in defense of his life and conduct at his trail. Socrates was accused of being impious through accusations such as corrupting the youth of Athens, not recognizing the gods that are recognized by the state, as well as inventing new deities. The question then becomes, with these accusations in mind, are the charges of impiety against Socrates valid? This question is not easy to answer, and is in fact, quite complex.
Socrates, an Athenian philosopher, was a curious man. His questions brought an entire new perspective into people’s lives, leading some to become inspired and innovative. “The unexamined life is not worth living,” (Doc. 1) Socrates had once said, continuing to support the concepts of innovation and knowledge. Ironically though, Socrates was put to death because of some of his thoughts.
It appears that Socrates has had a change of heart but his stance never changes. Apology is Socrates trial where he has to defend himself, in front of a jury, of accusations against him. Meletus argues that he, “busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the stronger argument, and teaches these same things onto others” (Apology 24b). Socrates argues that he is not a teacher because he does not accept pay. The young men that follow him around are not his students, but try to mimic the way that he acts.
If these things are true , then Nietzsche can feel justified in arguing that Socrates was not a great man and that all of the philosophers that followed him through the leadership of Plato were also symptomatic of all that was wrong with Socrates and with his form of reasoning Read more: http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Nietzsches.Socrates.essay.65984#ixzz2Q4lr9MXm argues against his ugliness , which appears in both writings on and sculptures of Socrates . If Socrates was ugly and conventional wisdom at the time during which Nietzsche lived was that criminals are ugly , is it not possible to argue that Socrates was not a great man , but , rather
Socrates tried for corrupting Athenian youth through his teachings. He is teaching what is known today as the Socratic Method. This method of philosophy consists of handing out of a verbal thrashing to one’s opponent (or in the case of Socrates, his accusers) with whip like words and conclusions torn from pieces of their statements. This is the methodology of lawyers in the courtroom, establishing premises to every single phrase in order to find a weak point and rip it to shreds. Socrates believed in asking questions, challenging the answers to said questions and then re-examining the logic in arguments that were formed from the Q and A that transpired.
He now tells that piety is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety that which is not dear (6). Socrates then praises Euthyphro for this new definition, but still is not satisfied, and so begins to further question this definition until he can turn it into one that he can use in his own practice (6). He begins with telling of how people can have differences of opinions, and how these differences can lead into feelings of hatred, in which Euthyphro agrees (6). Socrates then go's into how the gods themselves can also have there own differences of opinions, which can also lead into unrest amongst them, which they also agree upon (6). He then leads up to his main objection of this definition by means of stating that even though men and gods love that which they think is noble and good, and hate that which is opposite to those things, not everyone thinks this way about all things (Plato, 7).
Phil 115 March 4, 2013 Apology and Euthyphro After Socrates claimed that he was not like Sophists or Presocratics, he answers the question as to what led him to make his so-called false accusations? He answered by explaining that he had developed a reputation of wisdom, but a type that was limited and human based. He added that it was not the kind of wisdom that gave him the power to enforce his beliefs on matters associated with the Sophists and the Presocratics. Socrates explained that he gained his reputation by a prophecy given by the Oracle at Delphi to his friend Chaerephon. Socrates told the tale of how Chaerephon had gone to the oracle and asked as to whether or not there was one wiser than Socrates, to which the Oracle replied, no.
Socrates- Greek philosopher whose indefatigable search for ethical knowledge challenged conventional mores and led to his trial and execution on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. Although Socrates wrote nothing, his method of question and answer is captured in the dialogues of Plato, his greatest pupil. Peculiar-Strange or odd; unusual Countenance-Admit as acceptable or possible Hysterectomy-A surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus Circumscribed-Restrict
To this definition, there is no truth to his conviction. Amazed by his accusers, Socrates warns his fellow Athenians of the accusations “so persuasively did they (accusers) speak, and yet they hardly uttered a word of truth (Plato 1089).” Socrates was born a curious man, one that questions anything and everything taking nothing for granted. After completion of his quest to find someone wiser then him, Socrates comes to the realization that he is only the wisest man because he “knows that he knows nothing (Plato 1092).” Realizing this, he decides that it is this divine mission in life to go about the world “obedient to the god, to search and enquiry into the wisdom of any one, whether citizen or stranger, who appears to be wise; and if he is not wise, then in vindication for the oracle show him that he is not wise (Plato 1093),” for “the truth is, O men of Athens, that God is only wise (Plato 1093).” Socrates is trying to show everyone that the wisdom of man has little or no meaning at all, but those that he questions take insult because they do not like that “their pretence of knowledge has been detected (Plato
The Athenian government disapproved of Socrates' philosophies because they thought he corrupted the minds of the youth and that he didn't respect the Greek gods. In 399 B.C. Socrates was put on trial for his wrong doings.