Date/Context: The Trial of Socrates was written by Plato in 399 B.C. After the Peloponnesian War ended in 404 B.C, A Spartan occupation force replaced the Athenian democracy from 404 to 403. Although a democracy was reinstated, it was not did not show tolerance towards ideas or freedom of speech as the Athenian democracy did before it. Socrates disliked teachers who taught for a fee and shared information and encouraged self-reflection. In 399 B.C, the government accused him of not believing in the gods of the state and corrupting the youth. Plato watched his trial and made an account of his defense. Unfortunately, Socrates was condemned to death.
Summary: Socrates first starts of by stating that most of his accusers do not even know and cannot tell why he is villainous, but simply repeat the charges that men use to condemn all philosophers: that they teach things up in the clouds and under the earth, have no gods, and make the worse appear better for the cause. He then goes on to explain the he is not upset and ashamed that his life is coming to an untimely end because the only things he considers in life is whether his actions are right or wrong. He would rather be sentenced to death than cease to teach philosophy. He sarcastically explains that he is "corrupting the youth" by encouraging them to care about wisdom and truth as opposed to money, honor and reputation. He states the he is not arguing for his sake, but for the people of Athens. He says that he is God's gadfly (Gadfly can be defined as a fly who bites livestock but also as a person who provokes others into action through criticism). Society will not find another person to arouse, persuade, and reproach the men of the state. He states that after his death a punishment much greater than his will await his murderers; if his murderers think that by killing him they can prevent someone from censuring their evil lives, they are mistaken. He closes by asking society to punish his sons if they care for riches more than virtue in their adult lives.
Key Quotation:
"There you are mistaken: a man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought to only consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong..."
Sorry...Something happened with the font of my post... I'm not sure how to edit it, but if you highlight it you should be able to read it.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I thought you did a great job providing a thorough summary and extensive information on Plato. I also liked that you mentioned that Plato would be biased in his writing and refrain from saying anything negative about Socrates, because obviously there are different ways you can view the philosopher (good or bad), and he is shown in a very positive light in this document. I personally liked how he was portrayed in this document and believe that he shouldn't have been condemned. I like the quote you chose, it was the one that stuck out to me the most. I was really moved by the final like, "The hour of departure has arrived, and we go on our ways--I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows."
ReplyDeleteWell done! This document calls for one to question and examine everything to overcome lack of understanding. Plato portrays Socrates as both a martyr for the cause of knowledge and freedom and a scapegoat for the problems of the state.
ReplyDeleteAnother quote to consider: "And now, Athenians, I am not going to argue for my own sake, as you may think, but for yours, that you may not sin against God by condemning me, who am his gift to you...a sort of gadfly given by the state to God."