Introduction to Philosophy

Achieve Test Prep: Philosophy

The Trial and Death of Socrates The final days of Socrates’ life was captured in Plato’s dialogue, The Apology , a term that refers to a philosophical defense action or viewpoint. At the age of seventy, Socrates found himself at the court of Athens on trial for his life due to allegations that he corrupted the youth and that he did not believe in the gods, in whom the state believed. Socrates was unpopular with many influential citizens and political leaders because he encouraged people not to blindly accept authority or the pronouncements of self-appointed wise men. He insisted people think for themselves and that all ideas be held up to the scrutiny of critical analysis. Socrates developed enemies because of his lack of political involvement which engendered real world political consequences. Socrates was the target of a vindictive father whose son had come to study with Socrates. During his trial, Socrates could not resist educating the jury, advising them that he would speak the truth. Socrates was the victim of people spreading false and damaging rumors about him. He warned the jury to judge him fairly, as they were going to have to think critically and set aside their prejudices. Socrates was a man whose principals were more important than anything, even his life. He refused to make emotional appeals to the court. False appeals had a long and infamous history of human affairs, also known as fallacies. Socrates pointed out that appealing to the court for pity or sympathy to influence them to find him innocent or lessen his punishment was illogical and it would be a violation of their oaths to decide the case based on justice. Socrates was sentenced to death and died willingly for the moral principles and values on which his life was constructed. Socrates’ trial symbolizes the eternal struggle between reason and chaos, enlightenment and ignorance, integrity and corruption. Socrates understood that his death was necessary in order for his revolutionary beliefs to have their fullest impact on future generations, etching wickedness and righteousness on the consciousness of mankind. Socrates’ Legacy Socrates was the catalyst for a significant advancement in human consciousness. Prior to Socrates, thinkers and writers had focused their attention on past events and the physical universe. Socrates was the first important Western thinker to focus on the light of human reason and intelligence in human beings themselves. For the first time in recorded history, humans became the subjects of systematic study; our psyches, our moral aspirations, our relationships with one another, our quest for self- understanding and meaningful lives, our souls—everything was explored. Socrates believed in the supreme importance of thinking, and for him, everything in the human experience was an appropriate subject for exploration and critical analysis. Socrates developed a method of dialectical inquiry that was qualitatively different than anything the world had seen, and continues to be the bedrock of philosophical thought. Socrates’ method insisted on the criteria of logical soundness, clear definitions, consistency, and freedom from self-contradiction. Socrates was committed to making our actions reflect our convictions, developing consistent and rigorous standards of conduct through the choices that we make.

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