How Does Socrates Corrupt Youth

In the Greek literary work Apology written by Plato, Socrates was convicted for refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state, introducing new divinities and corrupting the youth. It is believed by many critics that Socrates knew he was going to be sentenced to death so, he was able to use his defense as an opportunity to clear his reputation, confront his accusers, but most significantly instruct the Athenians. He wanted them to look into themselves and seek virtue and wisdom before looking into personal interests. We notice throughout Socrates’ defense that there is a continued theme of wisdom and teaching towards the Athenians.

When Socrates first starts his debate, he immediately addresses the Athenians as well as the jury, and

Socrates says, “But either I do not corrupt them, or I corrupt them unintentionally… if my offense is unintentional, the law does not mention unintentional offenses.” (Apology 39). Athens puts Socrates on trial for corrupting the youth, which, in reality is a debatable offence purely rooted on personal opinion. Socrates says that he was never intentionally trying to corrupt people’s minds. By saying this in his defense, he is allowing Athenians to now rethink about what he has truly taught them and realize that the only way he could have corrupted people’s minds, were if they took what he said the wrong way. He is instructing the people of Athens and his most devout followers to believe in his word, that he would never intentionally corrupt any person’s mind. He wanted people to understand that his teachings were purely based off of what God told him to do. Meletus, an accuser representing the poets, wanted to end the new ideas that youths were being taught, despite the fact that Socrates was only doing what he felt needed to be done. Meletus, however, is called out for lying and not telling the full truth during the time Socrates questioned him. We then realize that Socrates is telling and proving to the Athenians that Meletus is wrong and all the while instructing the Athenians to believe in him and listen to what Meletus is truly saying. Socrates wants

Athenians act as if the city is a paradise, and has wealth of education and the arts. Athenians are morally corrupt according to Socrates, people do not know what is best for them so they look to the upper class for the answers. Socrates believed that with his teachings, he could help fix the corruption of Athens. He states, “I would rather die having spoken after my manner than speak in your manner and live” (Apology 48). In the Athenians mind, they all must act and speak the same way, and Socrates just stated that there is nothing that he would do to give in to their society. This statement alone shows us that Socrates is using his defense to prove to the Athenians how serious he is. He is instructing them to not follow the way of the higher class at any cost. His instruction is subtle; however, we do know that Socrates would not stop teaching his ideas until he died. By letting the Athenians understand that they must change their ways, he is sneakily telling them that the city is very corrupt and they must fix it, once again instructing