Why Socrates should be found Guilty?

Essay by Anonymous UserUniversity, Bachelor's November 1996

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Why Socrates should be found guilty?

In 470 B. C or 469 B. C a Greek Philosopher named Socrates was born in Athens. He was the son of Sophroniscus who was a sculptor. Researchers has said that Socrates was brought up as a sculptor. Socrates later abandoned it. When Peloponesion war broke out, Socrates went into active service and he earned high praises by the people of Athens for his courage and his endurance. Socrates took part in three war campaign for Athens. The seize of Potidea which was the beginning of the war and where he saved Alcibiades life. He also took part in the defeat and retreat of the Athenians at Delium in Boeotia in 424. He also fought in the battle of Amphipolis in 422. He was considered a hero by the people of Athens.

In 406 B. C a trial of generals who commanded an Athenian fleet at the battle of Arginusae was held.

They were accused of failing to pick up survivors and the dead of the battle. The generals defended themselves by claiming that the rescue of the bodies would be impossible because of the strong seas. Socrates was a member of the Prytaneis who are the board of fifty that presided at the trial. What Socrates asked himself was 'Whether the generals had a right to be tried separately' (Stone pg.110). He believed that if they were tried together it would be unfair. The Athenian council listened to the public

opinion who said, that they should be tried together. The council then decided that they were to be tried together. Socrates dissented and challenged the mass trial as unconstitutional under Athenian law and procedure of the court.

But, the population of Athens and the majority of that population was so angered by the...