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Why Was Socrates Impiety

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Bryana Peralta Professor Hugh Philosophy 110 16 June 2024. Socrates: Guilty or Not? Socrates, wise philosopher of ancient Athens, came across charges that we would soon come to question. These charges included impiety and corrupting the youth. The profound accusations were brought forth in 399 BC when he was put on trial by figures of the Athenian community. In my belief, Socrates was fundamentally innocent of these charges, which were driven not by malice but by a relentless pursuit of truth and virtue. So what does impiety mean? And why was Socrates innocent of it? Well, impiety, means not being piety, meaning having the quality of being religious or reverent. The charge of impiety showed that Socrates did not believe in the gods that were …show more content…

When he questioned religious beliefs, it wasn’t to disrespect them, but to seek genuine understanding and encourage Athenians to think more deeply. It all started when Socrates was told by the Oracle at Delphi that “no one was wiser than Socrates”(Peterson). He wasn’t disrespectful, but more so “puzzled” (Peterson). With his determination, he set out to test and seek knowledge from people who believed themselves to be considered wise. This approach reflected his commitment to intellectual honesty and spiritual exploration, rather than impiety. Not only was he charged with impiety, but he was also charged with “corrupting the youth of Athens” (Kaplan). This accusation referred to the idea that his teachings and influence were leading young Athenians astray morally and intellectually. He was seen as encouraging young people to doubt traditional values and norms. This could be seen as dangerous because it might undermine respect for authority and social order. But he himself said “I did not corrupt them, or I corrupted them unintentionally” (The Apology of Socrates). Socrates instilled in his students a commitment to truth, justice, and intellectual integrity. He

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He also refuted Meletus’ claims that he didn’t believe in any god by questioning Meletus and leading him into a self-contradiction. It is clear to us that Meletus’ accusations are false. I believe that the sole reason Socrates was found guilty during the trial was because people hated him (Socrates even mentions this in the beginning of his speech), not because he did anything wrong. Socrates actually wanted to help the people of Athens by encouraging a new way

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Since the day of the judgment between Athens and Socrates in 399 year B.C. many historians, philosophers, and students wonder to know whether Socrates was Guilty. Philosopher was accused in corrupting the youth, not believing in the recognized gods and introducing new divinities and in the rejection of civic life in democratic society. It is very difficult to answer on this question, may be even impossible. In my opinion, there are three types of people: 1.

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Socrates was accused of corrupting the minds of the youth and influencing them to believe in the supernatural phenomenon of his own beliefs. Socrates did not “corrupt” the adolescent of Athens. He merely changed them to think differently. Not necessarily differently but to think for themselves and to not always trust in what others say. I don’t believe Socrates was guilty.

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When Socrates was tried for his controversial beliefs, he still refused to abandon his ideals, even in the face of death. Simultaneously, he gave fantastic reasoning as to why he should not be charged for living the way he did. Socrates could not have done more to secure his own acquittal. Socrates’ greatest ally in the defense of his position was his dedication to stay true to himself. To directly quote Socrates, “It was to my advantage to be as I am” (26)†. Socrates was tried with three separate crimes.

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Socrates’s unwavering commitment to sticking to truth

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He contends that he can’t be considered liable for the supposed defilement since he has not professed to have any wisdom. Socrates states, “I neither know it in fact, nor think that I do” (The Apology, 21d). Instead, his tenacious quest for truth through the Socratic method is established in his craving to uncover the ignorance of others, as well as his own. For example, Socrates states, “Because all I do is to go about, persuading you young and old alike, not to care for your bodies or for your wealth so intensely as for the greatest possible wellbeing of your souls” (The Apology, 30b). Here, Socrates underscores his concern for the spiritual and intellectual development of the Athenians, representing his devotion to their

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Socrates has been charged with two crimes being a heretic and or atheist as well as corrupting the youth. Socrates claims where more than enough to dismiss all charges brought against him. This crimes should be dismissed because the first one is illogical since they contradict itself. While the second crime of corrupting the youth is an exaggeration, both made by Meletus who has a personal grudge against Socrates.

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Socrates was a man that was in search of the truth about wisdom. However, it became more then just a search when it brought him to trail of accusations. As a philosopher Socrates was known to overdrawn ideas and to frustrate anyone he was talking to. He is always in search of a better idea and for anyone who has experienced Socrates could assume he is making up his own actualities. This becomes evident in “ Apology” written by Plato, where Socrates was brought in charges for corrupting the minds of the youth and not believing in the Gods.

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He tasked himself with finding a man more wiser than himself and in doing so, he made enemies with Athenians by encountering men that were highly regarded, and exposing them as fakes. This is evident in the passage: " And I swear to you, Athenians, by the dog I swear! - for I must tell you the truth - the result of my mission was just this: I found that the men most in repute were all but the most foolish;". During the trial, Socrates brings forth and cross examines his accusers, revealing that they no concrete evidence of him committing the crimes that they had charged him with, also bringing shame to them. He was found guilty of crimes he actually did not commit and then boldly told the courts, in a satirical way, to charge him a small fine as his punishment. He does this partly because he does not believe that he has committed a crime, and he was a man of simple means, he did not have much money.

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Assuming that nobody wants to become corrupted, it follows that no one would knowingly corrupt those who they associate with. And because Socrates associates primarily with the youth of Athens, he would never knowingly corrupt them. Socrates was an outstanding of the Greek civilization. He defended himself against allegations of impiety and corruption of Athens youth. On the contrary, he provided strong arguments for his own defense

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Socrates started his life as an average Athen citizen. His parents worked, making an honest living. But as Socrates grew up, he began to realize that his mind questioned things and wondered how come no one else questioned the same things or at least think about the answers to the questions that were not answered. So, as his mind kept wandering, he began to acknowledge the questions that were not answered and sought for those answers. He ended up believing and teaching things to other people, whether it went against the way the Athen government or not, he still continued his work.

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Plato believes that his teacher, Socrates, was trialed because he was “evil” and needed to be killed from society. The “apology” Socrates presents himself as respected and mistreated due to the emotions of the Athenian

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The charges brought against the philosopher had nothing to do with true crime like we understand it today. He did not commit any physical or financial harm to anybody. Socrates insulted and angered many people more than any “legitimate” offense ever could. He said too many things that people around him did not like and could not forgive.

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Socrates’s official new charge “asserts that Socrates does injustice by corrupting the young, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel” (24b, p. 73). By looking deeper into the dialogue of The Apology and Euthyphro, one can see how passionately Socrates strives to express to the Athenian people his innocence in teaching the youth and worshiping of the gods. Socrates maintains his innocence in teaching the youth for three reasons. Primarily, there is no proof or evidence from past examples in which Socrates has taught the youth because no one has come out and said so. Socrates brings up a valid point that his so-called ‘teachings’ haven’t changed over time and therefore if he is accused

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Philosophical thinking uses three acts of the mind: understanding, judgement, and reason. In order to have a sound argument all of the concepts must be applied. Socrates didn’t want to please the people by saying or doing what they wanted him to say or do. Socrates thought it was not important to seek wealth or fame; he was concerned with truth and virtue. He wanted to create an impact on humanity by relying on the truth and shining a light in people’s lives, even if they put him on trial.

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