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Monday, February 24, 2014

Thoughts and reflections on When free speech was first condemned


Katie Taylor, World History Period 6                                                          February 24, 2014
Thoughts and Reflections On: "When Free Speech was First Condemned: The Trial of Socrates Reconsidered"
By: I. F. Stone

This article "When free speech was first condemned" is appropriately named because it is referring to the trial and eventual death of Socrates, who was basically condemned for practicing his right of free speech. This article changed my opinion of Socrates a little because originally I thought he was just extraordinarily full of himself, but this article caused me to wonder if Socrates was really pretentious or if he was actually just a little suicidal and was trying to be as dislikable as possible.  If I were the head prosecuting attorney in the trial of Socrates I would call upon Socrates to be a witness for his own prosecution.
Socrates really seemed to be one a path of self destruction so I would let him further incriminate himself by asking him questions like "How do you feel about democracy?" Or "What are your feelings toward Sparta and their government style?" I believe his answers to those questions would be enough to sway any jury. If I was the head attorney for the defense I would call upon someone who knew the law well and have them point out the fact that it is barbaric to condemn someone for free speech, especialy when it was considered such an important right in Athainian socioty. 

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