Thoughts and Reflections On: "The Apology of Socrates" Post #2

Katie Taylor, World History Period 6                                                               February 19, 2014

Thoughts and Reflections On: "The Apology of Socrates"

By Plato

Throughout his trial Socrates knew he was probably a dead man, but despite his odds he refused result to the traditional pitiful appeals where the defendant cries and brings in his family in an attempt to gain sympathy votes. Socrates believed it was foolish to fear death because it wasn't like a person who escaped the death penalty would be immortal anyways so in order to preserve his reputation that he was more than just the average man and also his dignity Socrates refused to use any pitiful appeals. Even after Socrates is condemned to death he still believed he had done no wrong. He stated that punishments were for wrong doers, which he was not, so he did not deserve a punishment instead he suggested the state give him free maintenance as a reward for the good he brings to society.

When asked what punishment he would give himself instead of death he stated that although imprisonment, fines, and or  banishment were options he would prefer the more optimistic option of death because he would rather die ten times over than disobey the gods and what he believed to be right by discontinuing his teachings and questioning. Socrates seems to have a very optimistic and opened minded view on death, in fact he believes that it might be a blessing. He makes the assumption that the only two possible options after death were sleep which might be nice or that your sole moved on to some where else. He hoped that his sole would go on so he could continue his teachings and possibly meet people such as Orpheus and Homer which he would happily die in order to meet. After reciving the decision of the jury he gave a porphacy he said  "I tell you, my executioners, that as soon as I am dead, vengeance shall fall upon you with a punishment far more painful than your killing of me. As soon as I am dead, retribution will come upon you-far more severe, I swear, than the sentence that you have passed upon me." Unfortunatly regardless of his prophacy Socrates was sentanced to death and died a month later.