A Different Approach

Dear men of Athens,

     What has Socrates done, but seek wisdom in his own home he so dearly calls Athens? You accuse him of “corrupting the young and of not believing in gods in whom the city believes, but in other new spiritual things (p.28:24b)." He has done no such thing but seek the wisdom of which a god has willed him. Tell me this, men of Athens, if Socrates is doing a deed of a god, then he must believe in some of your gods if not all of them, correct? Socrates has not corrupt the young nor has he brought harm to Athens’ society for he goes “around doing nothing but persuading both young and old among you not to care for your body or your wealth in preference to or as strongly for the possible state of your soul (p.34:30b).” This good men of Athens, is exemplified by Socrates thoughts of how “a good man cannot be harmed either in life or in death, and that his affairs are not neglected by the gods (p.44:41d).” Furthermore, Socrates encourages the people of Athens (meaning he has their best interest at heart) to try to live a pure life for their soul (for their after-life), so that they may receive blessings and wealth through their excellence. The gods will bless you, men of Athens, while you are in the physical realm because of the pure life you should try to live. Also, the gods will keep your soul and/or spirit safe from harm because you would be considered a good man by the “pure” life you have lived. Good men of Athens, giving Socrates the verdict of death will not harm him for he is a good man, but it will hurt Athenian society. You ask me, how could this possibly be? I shall tell you. Socrates seeks the wisdom of life and all that it entails. He helps Athenian society to truly understand ethics and the true form that transcends human thoughts of piety and impiety. Without a good understanding of ethics and moral beliefs, there is not a sound foundation of a society. Also, without a sound foundation of society, there is room for corrupt governments, overturned laws and mass chaos. I say for the last time, good men of Athens, the death of Socrates is not harming the man himself, but the good of Athenian society and the young who will have to live through the fall of Athens.


 Sincerely, An Observer of Judgment