In the "Apology," during Socrates’ trial, he received an offer to save his life as long as he abandoned preaching philosophy and innovating new Gods. Socrates refused to accept any lesser form of punishment (such as a fine or exile) because he proposed he should be rewarded rather than a punishment. Socrates did not believe he committed a crime, but rather provided a service in encouraging the youth of Athens to pursue moral and intellectual perfection, so his alternative offer is, fittingly, a reward rather than a penalty. As an illustration, he told them he deserved the same treatment of the mean of Athens by receiving his meals in the Prytaneum. He stated, “Perhaps some of you think that in saying this, as in what I said about lamenting …show more content…
If Socrates had abandoned philosophy, it would of have been harmful to him to give up something he lived for. Socrates preaches that the most significant thing in life is the improvement of the soul. According to Socrates, philosophizing was a moral and religious obligation to him and to not engage in this kind of life, it will cause him to internally die. He would rather be dead than stopping to preach on what he believed on. As Socrates stated “Perhaps someone might say, “Socrates, can you not go away from us and live quietly, without talking?” Now this is the hardest thing to make some of you believe. For if I say that such conduct would be disobedience to the god and that therefore I cannot keep quiet, you will think I am jesting and will not believe me” (Plato 37e). Socrates would rather die than make the mistake of accepting what the defense was hoping for. He did not want to plead and beg the jury, which would have resulted in Socrates not staying true to his beliefs. He also did not want to commit any unjust actions and stated that the government was powerful but it “didn’t frighten him into unjust action” (Plato 32d). Socrates believed that you must never disobey the state so he stood by his commitment to morality even though it cost him his