plato the trial and death of socrates hackett

For example, Socrates’ statement of the trial’s brief duration hampered his ability to persuade more people of his innocence. However, few subtle statements in Plato’s Socrates indicate that he did not intend to be executed. Apart from that, the fact that Socrates states to his friends and followers after his death sentence that it must be for the purpose of good because his inner voice does not contradict him at any time throughout the trial is often emphasized in favor of deliberation. He reflects about his acquittal based on his lack of speech, and comes to the conclusion that an unexamined life is not worth living. He claims that exile will do him no good because philosophizing is a god-given job. There is no question that his defense approach appears to be suicidal in character, as when Socrates appears to be baiting the Jury after the guilty verdict and before the death sentence, as seen by his contemplation of other options if he does not get the death penalty.

All he wants to do is tell his side of the story without sympathy since it obstructs genuine justice. Plato’s Socrates does not appear to be attempting to avoid a death sentence on purpose.

The rebellious tone of Socrates’ defense is one of the central points of debate among scholars. Socrates concluded that, while it is difficult to state anything with certainty about knowledge, he was better than all others with whom he inquired about wisdom in that he is at least conscious of his ignorance, whereas others are not. They had the delusion that they knew something when, in fact, they didn’t, as Socrates discovered when he questioned them about their expertise. Socrates observed that because of their accomplishment in a particular profession or subject, people mistook it for wisdom and understanding. During his investigation, he found no one who claimed to be intelligent was truly wise. Socrates sought to put this prophecy to the test by questioning those who claimed to be intelligent. This quest began with the Oracle of Delphi’s revelation that Socrates was the wisest of all the Greeks. Plato’s Socrates claims that the deity has given him a duty to question those who profess to be smart, whether they be politicians, poets, craftsmen, affluent or poor.

Plato the trial and death of socrates hackett