1. Do you think these charges are legitimate? Is this a fair trial?
Religion has always been a foundation to society, and it has worked its way into the judiciary system as well. Religion is what teaching and working was revolved around, and to question or speak against the gods would be to speak against the fundamentals of society itself. In Plato’s Euthyphro and Apology, Socrates is charged for not recognizing the gods of the state, creating new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. These charges are an accurate illustration of the judicial system and society in ancient Greece.
Socrates is without a doubt, smart, well rounded, and intellectual. One of Socrates’ charges was for inventing and creating new gods. Gods were a very large part of ancient Greek life. The Greek people along with many other ancient societies revolved their lives around their beliefs in the gods. Religion not only a large influence on the people, but also in the judiciary system. It appears to be that Socrates created his new gods because he felt that he was wise enough to do so, but he was unsuccessful due to the bias of the people in the court and the laws incorporated with religion.
Another one of Socrates’ charges was for corrupting the youth. This charge is also a very significant charge because he is corrupting the leaders of the future. Ancient societies were fundamentally based on the upbringing and teachings of religion and order. What the children are learning in the early stages of their lives, helps mould their futures and the person that they are to become. Socrates’ undermines the rules of society by the teaching of false gods. This action does not make him “wise” or more powerful than anyone else, it is an unjust offense that threatens the foundations and of society and religion.
Socrates’ final offence of inventing new gods is an offense that is most likely, not going to be accepted by the judiciary system. The courts are filled with religious men that have been raised to believe in the gods that were taught by society. Socrates’ creation of new gods is offensive towards the other gods because it is making a mockery of the system that is in place. This offense could be the most offensive of the three, and although Socrates believes that he is making a point that he is “wise”, he mistake’s his authority and power, and only makes himself seem ludicrous and threatening.
Socrates’ naïve opinion is the reason that he is being prosecuted. His charges of not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens are all appropriate and just. All of his charges are a result of Socrates’ arrogance and ego, and it is for these reasons that the court sentenced Socrates to death.
Work Cited: Plato, " Euthyphro, Apology, Crito"
Good work, Myles! You are correct to keep Socrates' cultural context in mind as you think about these issues. It may not seem like a fair trial to us, but in his time, it was probably more legitimate (for the reasons you list). However, I urge you to use your OWN reasoning to determine the validity of case raised against Socrates - rather than relying on its legitimacy within a particular time and place to make your argument. Furthermore, given what we know about the Socratic method from Plato's texts, can we say that Socrates was directly corrupting the youth? Can we implement laws to stop dialogue? Wouldn't that be tyrannical?
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