K Essay, Research Paper
2.a) Why does the Athenian jury convict Socrates, and why does Socrates maintain his innocence?
b) Do you think it was right for Socrates to accept his punishment of death without fleeing, even though he thought he was innocent?
The Athenian jury convicts Socrates of corrupting the youth. They feel that Socrates has stopped the youth from thinking for themselves. This is going against the laws of the city.
Socrates maintains his innocence for many reasons. One reason is Socrates did not see death as a bad thing. He realized that he would die someday anyway, so he did not fear it. He also believes that the people that sentenced him are going to suffer the most from his death, as well as the town and students. Socrates feels that no one will make these people self-reflect. Another reason Socrates maintained his innocence is because it made his teaching more valuable. By him dying for what he believes in shows to the city and to his students that he believes in his own
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teachings making them also believe in his teachings. Socrates felt that it was shameful to do wrong. By him admitting he was wrong then he was admitting that his teachings were wrong. This would destroy his quest to be the wisest man.
I believe that Socrates did the right thing by accepting his punishment and not fleeing. If he would have ran away he would have been admitting to his students and to the city that he was wrong and that is why he is running. I feel that by accepting his fate, he is getting his teachings across in a much stronger way. Socrates does not fear death, so I feel that he is not being punished. After his death he will be regarded as one of the wisest men to ever live. This was his quest to begin with. His students and the town?s people will relish his teachings because he is showing how much he believes in himself, which results in others believing in him also.
I feel that because Socrates was arrested for corrupting the youth he was presented with an opportunity to solidify his teachings. By accepting death as punishment, Socrates is proving that his teachings are true and he believes in them.