The Trial and Death of Socrates

Paper Summary:

The paper describes Socrates' behavior, philosophical beliefs and principles that angered the Greeks and caused him to be placed on trial, found guilty and condemned to death. The paper examines why Socrates was so hated and vilified by Athenian authorities and city leaders. The paper discusses how Socrates refused to escape from prison and accepted his fate with much honor.

From the Paper:

"According to Alfred J. Andrea, the main contribution of Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.) to Greek thought was that "he refused to accept easy answers as he searched for wisdom and virtue" and for Socrates, the moral person was "one who knows the good and acts accordingly;" however, Socrates "refused to accept the answers of tradition and the way of the past as infallible guides to wisdom and moral behavior." 1 Thus, due to his philosophical beliefs and principles and his unwavering stance against the "old ways" of Greek thought and behavior, Socrates came to be seen by his fellow countrymen as an irritant, a social pariah who refused to adhere to the viewpoints of the majority. As a result, Socrates was placed on trial for a number of offenses against Greek society and the city of Athens and when he was "found guilty and condemned to death by a jury that fully expected him to flee the city," Socrates surprised all of those at the trial when he fully accepted his fate and thus "went serenely to his death" by poisoning."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Andrea, Alfred J., et al. The Human Record: Sources of Global History. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company, 2005.
• "Phaedo: The Death Scene, 115b-118a." Internet Ancient History Sourcebook. Internet.2007. Retrieved from http://socrates.clarke.edu/aplg0190.htm.

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