The Trial And Death Of Socrates Analysis

The complex ideas expressed in The Trial and Death of Socrates at times appear contradictory but through thorough examination and Socrates’ wisdom the ideas become clear. Through Socrates’s dedication to respect for the laws of Athens and his spiritual drive to uphold philosophical values, he is able to maintain consistent in his claim that the law and verdict are just. It is important to distinguish between the two when exploring Socrates’ thought process. In the Apology, Socrates clearly claims that he has been mistreated by verdict of the jury. He sees the verdict as wrongdoing, not because he fears death, but because the jury believes they are inflicting harm on him. Socrates knows “that vengeance will come upon you immediately after
While explaining to Crito why he believes escaping is unjust, he speaks how he imagines the city of Athens would speak to him. The city gives “two alternatives, either to persuade us or to do what we say. He does neither.” (Plato, 52 a) Socrates understands that while the verdict is incorrect, he has put himself in this situation because he values the authority of the city so he treats the verdict as just. By understanding the possibility of death from his actions he proves once again that he does not fear death and that he believes the verdict to be justified. Some argue that Socrates changes his view on the authority of the jury and it contradicts his belief that it is just. However, what he says is better
In the Apology he never says that the law is wrong. He states that he wanted to “run any risk on the side of law and justice rather than join you, for fear of prison or death, when you were engaged in an unjust course.” (Plato, 32 b) He speaks of law and justice side by side and the lack of fear concerning death. One might claim that the law is doing him wrong by allowing him to be condemned to death and be maltreated. However, it is not the law which does him wrong, but the jurymen who want to punish him with death. To Socrates the law is just because it was through it “that your father married your mother and begat you... Or in those of us concerned with the nurture of babies and the education that you too received.” (Plato, 50 c-d) Through this logic he owes the country and its laws his obedience even in the face of an incorrect verdict. He feels he cannot possibly do a wrong to a wrong anyway and it would also corrupt the law. By maintaining consistent views concerning the justness of Athenian law he does not undermine his earlier statements concerning the influence of the masses on an