The Trial of Socrates

Summary

The script is a dramatic portrayal of Socrates' trial and execution in Athens, 399 BC. It explores themes of justice, wisdom, and the philosopher's defiance against societal norms. Socrates is accused of corrupting youth and not recognizing the state's gods, leading to his conviction and subsequent death by poison. The dialogue captures Socrates' calm demeanor, his philosophical inquiries into death, and the reactions of his friends and accusers. It also delves into the political turmoil of the time and Socrates' role as a gadfly, provoking thought and challenging the status quo.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The script is set in Athens, 399 BC, and revolves around the trial and execution of the philosopher Socrates.
• 🗣️ Socrates is accused of two main charges: not recognizing the gods of the state and corrupting the youth.
• 📜 Socrates' method of questioning and probing the nature of death and immortality is highlighted, showcasing his philosophical approach.
• 💬 The dialogue includes a debate on the state of Athens, its decline from a powerful empire to a weakened city-state.
• 👥 The script features various characters accusing Socrates of influencing others negatively, including his own students.
• 📚 Socrates is linked to other philosophers and thinkers of the time, some of whom held controversial views about religion and the state.
• 🏛️ The trial touches upon the political climate of Athens, including the period of the Thirty Tyrants and the restoration of democracy.
• 🤔 Socrates defends himself by questioning the accusations, arguing that his philosophical inquiries do not equate to corruption or impiety.
• 📢 The script includes a portrayal of Socrates' famous method of elenchos, where he seeks to expose the contradictions in others' beliefs.
• ⚖️ The outcome of the trial is Socrates' conviction and subsequent sentencing to death, which is a pivotal moment in the script.
• 🌟 The script concludes with reflections on Socrates' legacy and the relevance of his ideas, inviting contemplation on the nature of wisdom and justice.

Q & A

What was the main charge against Socrates in 399 BC?

The main charges against Socrates were that he refused to recognize the gods of the state and introduced strange new divinities, and that he corrupted the youth.

How did Socrates respond to the accusation of corrupting the youth?

Socrates argued that he did not corrupt the youth but instead tried to make them question and seek wisdom, and that it was the entire city, including the jurors and assembly members, who were the improvers of youth.

What was the penalty requested by the accusers for Socrates' alleged crimes?

The accusers requested the death penalty for Socrates as a punishment for his alleged crimes.

What alternative penalty did Socrates propose for himself?

Socrates proposed a fine of 30 Minas, which his friends would guarantee, as an alternative penalty, stating that he had never intentionally harmed anyone and thus did not deserve punishment.

Why did Socrates refuse to escape from prison despite the opportunity?

Socrates believed that escaping would be a violation of the agreement he had with the state and its laws, and he considered it unjust to destroy the laws that had raised and educated him.

What was the final vote on the penalty for Socrates?

The final vote resulted in 340 votes for the death penalty and 160 for the fine, leading to the decision that Socrates' penalty was death.

How did Socrates view his role in Athenian society?

Socrates saw himself as a gadfly sent by the gods to sting the Athenian horse into action, meaning he believed his role was to provoke and challenge the citizens to think and improve their souls.

What was the reaction of Socrates' friends to his death sentence?

Socrates' friends were devastated by the death sentence. They offered to bribe the guards to help him escape, but Socrates chose to stay true to his principles and accept the sentence.

What was the significance of the Oracle at Delphi's response to Socrates?

The Oracle at Delphi declared that no man was wiser than Socrates, which led him to conclude that true wisdom lies in knowing that one knows nothing, and this realization was a cornerstone of his philosophical approach.

How did Socrates defend his actions and beliefs during his trial?

Socrates defended his actions and beliefs by arguing that his questioning and discussions were meant to encourage virtue and wisdom, and that he had never intentionally harmed anyone, thus not deserving of the death penalty.

What was the context of the political and social confrontations mentioned in the script?

The script refers to the political upheaval in Athens, including the period of the Thirty Tyrants and the restoration of democracy, highlighting the tension between traditional values and new ideas that Socrates represented.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Socrates' Trial and Death

The script opens with a dramatic account of the death of Socrates, the philosopher from Athens in 399 BC. His friends discuss the circumstances of his execution, highlighting his calm demeanor and his final philosophical inquiries into death and immortality. Socrates' famous response to the question of how he should be buried, suggesting that his body could be buried in any manner, but he himself would not escape, as he was not the same as his body, is recounted. The charges against him include not recognizing the gods of the state, introducing new divinities, and corrupting the youth. The script also delves into the political backdrop, suggesting that Socrates was tried and sentenced to death partly due to his perceived role in the decline of Athens and his association with those who overthrew the democratic government.

05:06

🗣️ Accusations and Political Tensions

This paragraph delves into the accusations against Socrates, with his accusers linking him to the political upheaval and the fall of Athens. They argue that Socrates was a corrupting influence, teaching disrespect for the gods and traditional values, and that his teachings led to the rise of traitors and tyrants. The script also touches on the broader societal issues, such as the decline in respect for the gods and the rise of skepticism, which were attributed to Socrates' influence. The accusers use the example of other philosophers and writers who held unorthodox views and were associated with Socrates to bolster their case.

10:06

📚 Socrates' Defense and the Power of Questions

In this section, Socrates begins his defense by addressing the accusations and the impact of his accusers' words. He emphasizes his lack of eloquence and requests the jury to focus on the truth of his words rather than the manner in which they are presented. Socrates counters the accusations by questioning the notion that he is a teacher of natural science or a sophist who teaches for money. He also discusses the Oracle at Delphi, which declared him the wisest of men, leading him to conclude that his wisdom lies in knowing that he knows nothing. Socrates argues that his pursuit of truth and his questioning of others are not attempts to corrupt the youth but rather a means to reveal the true nature of wisdom.

15:10

🌐 Socrates on the Improvement of Youth and Belief in Gods

Socrates continues his defense by discussing the improvement of youth and the role of laws in society. He argues that the entire city, including the jurors and the assembly, contributes to the improvement of youth, while he alone is accused of corrupting them. He uses the analogy of horse training to illustrate that expertise is necessary for improvement, suggesting that the city's collective efforts are more influential than his individual actions. Socrates also addresses the accusation of not recognizing the gods, asserting that he does not believe in no gods at all, but rather that he has a different understanding of the divine than his accusers.

20:13

🏛️ The Trial's Verdict and Socrates' Rejection of Traditional Penalties

The script describes the trial's outcome, with Socrates found guilty and facing the death penalty. Despite this, Socrates expresses no grief, suggesting that he expected the verdict. He proposes an alternative penalty, arguing that he should be rewarded for his contributions to the city rather than punished. Socrates requests meals at the Prytaneum, a public honor, as his penalty, reflecting his belief in his innocence and the value of his philosophical pursuits. The jury ultimately votes for the death penalty, and Socrates accepts his fate with stoicism.

25:16

🛐 Socrates' Final Words and the Question of Escape

In the final paragraph, Socrates reflects on his impending death and the offer from his friends to escape. He engages in a thought experiment, imagining a dialogue with the laws of the state, which argue that he has agreed to live under them and should therefore accept their judgment. Socrates concludes that he must abide by the laws and stay to face his death. The script ends by posing a question to the audience about the relevance of Socrates' ideas in contemporary society, inviting reflection on the enduring impact of his philosophy.

Keywords

💡Socrates

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is credited with laying much of the groundwork for Western philosophy. In the video, Socrates is on trial in Athens in 399 BC, accused of refusing to recognize the gods of the state and of corrupting the youth. His ideas and methods, including his Socratic questioning, are central to the narrative as they are the basis for the charges against him and the discussions among his friends after his death.

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the context of the video, philosophy is represented by Socrates' pursuit of truth and his method of questioning, which leads to his condemnation and eventual execution, highlighting the conflict between philosophical inquiry and societal norms.

💡Corrupting the youth

The charge of 'corrupting the youth' is a serious accusation in the script, suggesting that Socrates' teachings were detrimental to the moral and ethical development of the young. This reflects the fear of change and the influence of new ideas on the established order, as seen when Socrates' methods lead his students to question authority and traditional beliefs.

💡Athenian democracy

Athenian democracy refers to the system of government that was in place in Athens during the time of Socrates. It was a direct democracy where citizens participated directly in the decision-making process. The video script mentions the contrast between the democratic ideals and the actions taken against Socrates, indicating the tension between individual freedom of thought and the collective will of the state.

💡Eloquence

Eloquence is the quality of expressing ideas in language that is clear, effective, and persuasive. In the script, the accusers warn the jurors to be on guard against Socrates' eloquence, suggesting that his powerful speech could sway the jury despite the weakness of his arguments. This highlights the power of rhetoric in ancient trials and the perceived threat it posed to the establishment.

💡Sophist

A Sophist was a teacher of rhetoric and logic in ancient Greece, often associated with the use of clever but fallacious arguments. In the video, the term is used pejoratively to describe Socrates, suggesting that he is more concerned with the art of persuasion than with truth. This reflects the criticism that Socrates and his methods were seen as undermining traditional values and beliefs.

💡Oracle at Delphi

The Oracle at Delphi was an important ancient Greek sanctuary that was believed to be home to the Oracle of Apollo, a prophetic deity. In the script, Socrates refers to the Oracle's declaration that he was the wisest man, which he interprets as wisdom in knowing that he knows nothing. This reflects Socratic irony and his commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.

💡Gadfly

In the script, Socrates refers to himself as a 'gadfly' sent by the gods to sting the Athenian state into action. This metaphor suggests that his role is to provoke and challenge the complacency of the state and its citizens, encouraging them to question and reflect on their beliefs and actions. It encapsulates Socrates' belief in the importance of critical thinking and self-examination.

💡Unexamined life

The phrase 'unexamined life is not worth living' is a famous quote attributed to Socrates, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking. In the video, this idea is central to Socrates' defense, as he argues that his conversations and questioning are beneficial to society by prompting individuals to examine their beliefs and values.

💡Death

Death is a central theme in the video, as Socrates faces execution after his conviction. The discussions around death and immortality among Socrates and his friends reflect the philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence and the afterlife. Socrates' calm acceptance of his fate also illustrates his belief in the importance of moral integrity over life itself.

Highlights

Socrates was condemned to death in Athens in 399 BC.

Socrates' friends discussed his death, noting his calm demeanor and philosophical inquiries about death and immortality.

Socrates' response to the question about burial, indicating he was not afraid of death.

The charges against Socrates included refusing to recognize the gods of the state and corrupting the youth.

Socrates was accused of being the teacher of Alcibiades, who was responsible for Athens' downfall.

The accusers argued that Socrates' influence led to political and social unrest.

Socrates was associated with other philosophers who were considered impious and corrupt.

Socrates' defense included questioning the accusers' claims and highlighting his own lack of wisdom.

Socrates compared himself to a gadfly, sent by the gods to sting the Athenian horse into action.

Socrates argued that his conversations about virtue were beneficial to mankind.

Socrates' response to the proposed penalty, suggesting a fine instead of death.

The final vote resulted in Socrates' conviction with a narrow margin.

Socrates' friends offered to bribe his guards for his escape, but he refused.

Socrates' argument that obeying the laws is a social contract and that he should not escape.

Socrates' final words questioning which is better, to live or to die.

The relevance of Socrates' ideas for today's society.

Transcripts

these were the Alternatives of which he

Athens 399 BC the philosopher Socrates

has been condemned and his execution has

just taken place friends of Socrates

discuss his death

we were all

there the guard who was sympathetic

released him from his

chains I have never seen him

calmer he tried to probe the nature of

death and immortality with

us but I felt that even

he with all the power of his mind could

not illuminate that

Darkness and then kto abruptly asked

what way shall we bury you and he

answered in any way you like but hold me

and make sure I don't run

away I cannot make crto believe I'm the

same Socrates who's been conversing with

you he thinks I'm already the other

Socrates you'll soon see a dead body and

he asks how shall we bury

you I see my words with which I've been

comforting you and myself have had no

effect on

creto be of good cheer friend creto and

say you're Burying my body

only do with that whatever is usual and

as you think

best he then

requested that the poison be prepared

and

brought the GU told him to drink

deeply what walk until his legs grew

heavy and then to lie

down and the poison would

act such was the end of our

friend of all men I have known he was

the wisest the most

just and the

best why was a man like Socrates put to

death at his trial these were the

charges that were brought against him

meus son of meus of the Dee of Pia

accuses Socrates son of so pronus of the

Dee of alope of the

following Socrates is guilty of crimes

in refusing to recognize the gods of the

state and in introducing strange new

divinities of his own he is further

guilty of corrupting the

youth the penalty requested is

death are meus and those who joined with

him in making this accusation ready to

argue their case we are take the oath

then I'm elius I anuus I Lyon swear that

my previous death listen to the

accusations that will be made against

Socrates decide if corrupting the youth

and not recognizing the gods of the

state are the real reasons Socrates is

being tried and my family if I

myself look also for parallels between

this situation and the political and

social confrontations that are occurring

today

I wish to sketch for you a picture of

the sorry times that we have been

through you 51 citizen jurors of Athens

who will decide the fate of this man

Socrates is there one of you who does

not remember Athens when Athens had

wealth power

Empire our Navy dominated the aan the

trade of Nations was stored in our

warehouses Great Walls surrounded our

city in its port

magnificent temples were built genius

flourished in every art the whole world

looked to us for

leadership but what has befallen

us our long walls destroyed our olive

trees burned our trade ended our

treasury emptied our Navy lost our

Empire gone tens of thousands of our

citizens

dead and who more than any other man was

responsible for these disasters who was

ites with his mad schemes his

desecrations his

arrogance and who was the teacher of

this traitor all sties by whom was he

guided

soes yes

Socrates after we were overcome by the

Spartans their leader Lysander May the

gods cast The Very syllables of his

name set up a government

here surely most of you have reason to

remember this

government it was called the Council of

30 was it

not I see the memory is

vivid you

are pioneers are you

not you are pionus answer yes

P I've been told by a very creditable

source that you spoke out in the

marketplace was it not the marketplace

yes the marketplace against us no

praised the late discredited and corrupt

democracy and spoke out against us your

lawful government my family they will

get a pension your warehouses will be

taken over by the state we are very busy

other cases must be heard

today cres and

comedies the pair we all have caus to

remember

well 1,500 put to death 5,000 exiled and

whose disciples were they by their own

admission

who Socrates again behind disasters

traitors tyrants

Socrates and this man who sits alongside

me on this platform this man of courage

and probity and uus overthrew the

Council of 30 restored democracy and

declared an amnesty to bridge the

differences that separated

Athenians because of this peace declared

by

anuus those like

Socrates who go unpunished for their

political

crimes I accuse him of no political

offenses

I only wish to remind you of what has

happened and of what might happen

again who is to speak next for the

accusers

lon Greek

laws have always been closely associated

with religion to submit to the law is to

obey the

Gods yet despite the fact that piety has

held the state together we have seen a

steady growth in disrespect to the gods

well not long ago that great writer of

tragedies escalas could declare it is

Zeus alone who shows the way to perfect

knowledge through Minds every road I

pass but all are veins save that which

names these use the highest one and in a

few short years we have progressed to

this gods are like fleeting

dreams faith in oracles is

foolish the writer of these impious

words is here today Ides disciple

of indeed

Socrates and among those prosecuted for

blasphemy there was the philosopher an

exageras who contended that the sun was

a red hot stone in the moon was made of

Earth whereas as we all know they are

really traditional Athenian deity

and who was it who who studied with an

aaras again oh and there was protagoras

who contended that that man not the gods

is the measure of all

things and who professed admiration for

protagoras you might recall that

protagoras was a sophist one of that

accursed crew of so-called philosophers

usually foreigners who could speak

learnedly on a subject whether they knew

anything about it or not who for money

could teach you to make the worst side

of an argument appear the better so you

could get ahead always arguing and and

questioning these sophist destroyed

men's faith in the old truths and made

our young people

clever but not

wise and who was the greatest questioner

and arguru of the

all yes Socrates the super

sist

do you recall what our comic poet

Aristophanes had to say about

sophistical

Socrates do you remember ever stanes

played the

clouds oh

Socrates what do you want mortal what

are you doing up there I walk upon the

air and elevate my mind only up here

dangling my vast intellect in the

heavens can i s scientifically perceive

the secrets of the universe by Zeus what

marvelous words Zeus did I hear you say

Zeus are you mad sir there is no Zeus No

Zeus then who makes it rain have you

ever seen it rain out of an empty Sky no

but when there are clouds it rains yes

therefore sir it is the clouds that

cause rain not Zeus powerfully argued

but what about thunder surely the gods

cause thunder reflect sir when you guard

yourself on your wife's stew does not

your belly Rumble true think of the

rumble your tiny stomach makes then

think of the sound the boundless clouds

can produce when they have

indigestion oh secret and wondrous

thoughts teach me to reason like you oh

Socrates and success will be

mind a satire to be sure but scarcely

more ridiculous than the man himself W

with his bare feet his his dirty cloaks

his poverty and his endless questioning

and his anti-democratic

Tendencies there anyone here who knows

me as anything but an honest man a blunt

speaker there is I would hear his voice

now coward speak up if you think I'm a

coward a cruel or vindictive

man then listen to me

carefully if Socrates regains his

Liberty your sons will be ruined by his

words they'll rebel against your

Authority in the sacred traditions of

the state I say this

because this is exactly what happened to

my own son where are you going boy where

am I

going to buy fish where are you going to

buy fish to the fish market by the great

K if you're going to buy vegetables

where would you go to client stand in

the market near the agura and meet to

the same Marketplace and where would you

go to find wise and Noble

men

huh follow

me and be taught

that moment my son was no longer mine

but

his Socrates however is not interested

in leading the youth to wisdom but in

demonstrating that no one except himself

is wise my son now criticizes everyone

even our great men of earlier times and

what is ging to me is that Socrates

teaches this disrespect yet he himself

refuses to take part in public affairs

he does nothing but confuse and disrupt

no Spartan spy has been as dangerous as

Socrates he's destroyed the morality of

our

forefathers Athens has been torn by War

and tyranny our democracy has just been

restored our city has the right it has

the duty to destroy such as he don't be

misled by his glib words as philosophers

eloquence he will try to make just one

more

word

if you frustrate the state and the

Vengeance that is do it for the

transgressions of this evil old man the

crime will fall on your own

heads Vengeance of the Gods will be on

you the accused will speak

now men of

Athens how you have been affected by my

accusers I cannot

tell I know they almost made me forget

who I am of the many falsehoods told by

them one amazed me saying that you

should be on guard against my eloquence

if by eloquence they mean

truth then I'm

eloquent but I am an old man appearing

in a court of

law for the first time so please think

only lay of the truth of my words not

their

awkwardness and utus and

his associates are dangerous to

me but far more dangerous to me are the

others the ones who began accusing me

when you were children and long ago took

possession of your minds with their lies

they claim I'm a student of Natural

Science and refer to ACC comedy

by Aristophanes in which a man called

Socrates talks nonsense or they liken me

to those who teach for money and

instruct on how to make the worst cause

appear the better if you have ever heard

me hold forth on these matters I ask you

to speak out

now A friend of mine who most of you

knew Caron once went to the Oracle at

Dela

hian propheus who speaks with the tongue

of

Apollo is any man wiser than

[Music]

Socrates

Priestess no man is wiser than

Socrates

no man is wiser than

Socrates no man is wiser than

Socrates when I heard that I asked

myself what can the god mean for I know

I have no wisdom yet can Gods

lie I thought if I can find a man wiser

than myself sure no great task then the

Oracle is

mistaken so I went to a politician with

a reputation for wisdom but when I spoke

with him I could not help thinking that

he wasn't really wise at all no matter

what people said I tried to explain that

to him but he became irritated with me I

thought well neither of us knows

anything really beautiful or profound

but at least I am better off than this

fellow because he knows nothing and

thinks he knows everything while I know

I know

nothing so I went from one person to

another in search of a wise

man this inquiry man of Athens has made

me many

enemies but it has led me to believe

that only the gods are wise and the

Oracle used My

Name by way of

illustration what he meant is he is

wisest who like Socrates knows that his

wisdom is worth

nothing and what my enemies will never

admit is that they're really angry

because their pretense of knowledge has

been shown up meitus you good man and

true lover of your

country

rise let me ask you a

question you think much about the

Improvement of

Youth I do tell the jurors then who are

the improvers of

Youth you must know since you've taken

the pains to discover their

corruptor the laws improve youth but who

knows the

laws the jurors they're able to instruct

and improve youth they are all of them

her only s all of them by hearer that's

good news there are plenty of improvers

how about the people watching the trial

today they are also improvers and the

members of the Athenian assembly do they

improve or corrupt improve evidently

every Athenian improves and elevates

youth while I alone corrupt them is that

what you affirm I strongly affirm that

you are their corruptor what about

horses

malitas takes an expert trainer to bring

out the best in a horse yet you claim an

entire city can train our youths while

only I corrupt them this is the word

playing of a sophist as to the other

part of your indictment you say that I

refuse to recognize the gods of the

state does this mean that I do not

believe in Gods at all that I'm an

atheist I assure you jurors he believes

in no Gods whatsoever yet your charge

also claims that I guilty of introducing

new divinities of my own you claim that

I'm guilty both of believing in Gods and

not believing in Gods can a man believe

in human Affairs and not humans or

horsemanship and not horses or flute

playing and not flute players sure you

gu I've said enough in answering malus's

charges yet I know to well the enmities

I have incurred and these will be my

destruction not malus or

inuus but men of Athens know this no

greater good has happened to the state

than my service to the God for I do

nothing but to go about persuading each

of you old and young alike not to take

thought about your person or property

but first to take care about the

Improvement of your

soul think of the state as of a great

hor

slow to move because of its size I am

the gadfly sent by the gods to Sting the

horse into action all day long in all

places I am fastening upon you arousing

persuading and reproaching you and for

this service I have never sought payment

from any of you I have sufficient

witness to the truth of

that my

poverty well well then men of

Athens this is my

defense perhaps there are some who

expect me to bring my wife and children

to pray and entreat and SOB before you

as is so often done in our trials but I

feel that to do this would bring

dishonor to me and you and the state

there something wrong in asking a favor

of a

juror for his duty is not to make a

present of justice but to deliver

judgment and this judgment is to be

given not according to his pleasure but

according to the

law and so to you and to the gods I

commit my cause to be determined by you

as is best for me and for

you this is the time to cast your vote

for guilt or acquittal for those serving

For the First Time The pierced disc

stands for Guilt the solid one for

innocence a simple majority of the 5501

votes cast is sufficient for conviction

or

acquittal we will begin the vote

[Applause]

now

do you have a tally I do do you swear it

is true and accurate I so swear what is

the count against Socrates

263 for Socrates 234 four

extensions Socrates son of

sponic you stand convicted the vote is

available for inspection

the penalty requested his death at this

time the convicted has the opportunity

to suggest an alternate

penalty the actual penalty will be

determined by another

vote there are many reasons men of

Athens why am not grieved at the vote I

expected it I am surprised it was so

close had about 30 votes gone over to

the other side I would have been

acquitted

my

accusers propose death as a

penalty and what shall I propose man of

Athens what would be a suitable return

to a poor man who is your benefactor and

who desires Leisure so that he can

instruct

you there can be no reward more fitting

than meals and a pension a reward he

deserves far more than the citizen who's

won a chariot at the

Olympia perhaps you think I'm defying

you in what I

say this is not

so I speak thus because I'm convinced

that I've never intentionally harmed

anyone why should I then suggest a

penalty that would harm me what shall I

say

imprisonment why should I languish

imprison a fine I would still have to

lie in prison because I have no money

money

Exile I would be blinded by love of life

if I expected that when you my fellow

citizens cannot stand my words that

strangers would be likely to endure them

there are some who will say yes Socrates

but can't you hold your tongue then you

could go to a foreign city and no would

would interfere with

you I have trouble making you understand

my an answer to this for if I tell you

that to hold my tongue would be

Disobedience to the gods you wouldn't

believe I'm serious and if I tell you

that daily conversation about virtue and

the other things I talk about is a great

benefit to

mankind you'd be still less likely to

believe me and if I declare that the

unexamined life is not worth

living and you would certainly laugh yet

what I say is

so I'm not accustomed to the thought

that I deserve

punishment however I will propose a fine

in proportion to my lack of money I can

afford one Mina therefore I propose that

[Music]

amount my friends here Plato crito Cris

and apollodorus ask me to say 30 Mei and

they will guarantee the money 30

Mei

you will now vote on the

penalty the accusers ask for death the

convicted if I interpret him correctly

requests a fine of 30 Mani for which his

friends will stand

shity do you have a tally I do do you

swear it is true and accurate I swear

what is the count for death 340 for the

fine 160 one exstension the vote is is

available for

inspection Socrates son of

sponic the penalty for the crimes of

which you stand convicted is

death and so the hour of departure has

come and we go our separate

ways I to die and you to

live which is

better God Alone

knows before his death friends of

Socrates offered to bribe his guards so

he could Escape Socrates answered

imagine I am about to

flee and the laws come to me and say

tell us Socrates what you are doing do

you imagine a state can exist in which

the decisions of law have no power but

are set aside and trampled by

individuals perhaps I would answer yes

but the state has injured me and given

an unjust

sentence and the laws would

answer but what was our agreement with

you were you not born and raised and

educated under the laws of the state did

you not agree to obey us not in haste

but after 70 years of consideration

during which you were free to leave the

city at any time if you thought us

unfair because we think it right to

destroy you do you think you have the

right to destroy us do you agree do you

think Socrates should have stayed and

died what relevance do you feel Socrates

ideas have for us

today