Socrates: A Victim of Injustice

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The Execution of Socrates Socrates is one of the greatest logicians humankind has ever produced. All the scholars before him engaged in different trivial matters regarding more concrete aspects of our reality, such as mathematics or natural phenomenon, but Socrates was different. Socrates sought out more intrapersonal questions, he devoted his entire life seeking out answers to these questions. Eventually this ambition led him to a notorious standing within his city of Athens, eventually leading to his trial and execution. The rebounding question that comes from this is “Should Socrates have stayed in prison and faced his execution?”. This is controversial because Socrates was wrongly convicted in his trial, but disregarding that he …show more content…

The people of Athens used Socrates as a scapegoat for the wrongs that had befallen them in regards to plagues as well as him upsetting the higher ups. It was believed by the people that he had upset the Gods and was the cause of the misfortune. Socrates knew this and saw this as a last service to his country and people, which is why he was content with his death. Another reason Socrates did not escape prison was his obligation to his city. Again, this ties to Socrates need for consistency, when manhood is reached in the city of Athens the citizens comply with the laws of Athens, and if they do not they are to leave the city. So, given this, Socrates must assent to the laws of Athens because he agreed they were just, whether he was wrongly accused or not. Socrates also towards the end of his life becomes certain of the afterlife, that it either must end in eternal sleep or you pass into a spiritual Transcension. Given the dilemma of a planned death, Socrates is given the opportunity to die a good person knowing he has committed no wrong, which is likely why he is content at the end of his life. In conclusion, Socrates used an ethical stance in regards as to why he would not escape prison. He believed he was corrupting his soul and others by precedent in escaping prison as well as breaking an obligation to his

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