Socrates:Enemigo Del Estado

Daniel Castillo
Philosophy 1301
7/01/2011
Professor Louis
Socrates: Enemy of the State
The validity of the arguments against Socrates is typical of society. Whoever controls society hides behind the “national security issue.” Therefore, to be pragmatic will not help the accused. Furthermore, that is what makes us try to explain what state is.
1. What is your initial point of view?
YesSocrates was an enemy of the state since his crime was corrupting the youth. Socrates was corrupting the youth by making them question things instead of just accepting Greek and Athenian traditions passes down to them. I believe Socrates intentionally corrupted the youth. After reading the Five Dialogues, I have yet to find a sign of remorse shown by Socrates. While on trial, Socrates states thereason for his actions. “I was attached to this city by the god-though it seems a ridiculous thing to say-as upon a great noble horse which was somewhat sluggish because of its size and needed to be stirred up by a kind of gadfly” (35).
2. How can you define your point of view more clearly?
I sincerely believe Socrates deserves to be labeled as an enemy of the state. Socrates corrupted the youth byinfluencing them to question the resident’s opinions and embarrass them in the process of doing it. Also, Socrates made the choice to not believe in the gods. Consequently, Socrates expressed his disbelief freely throughout the country. These actions gained him fame and admiration from the youth. I believe that the future of the country is in the hands of the youths. Moreover, corrupting the youthmeans that the future of the country is in jeopardy.

3. What is an example of your point of view?
If the state authorities had excused Socrates’ behavior, the people of Athens would have turned against each other. Socrates’ goal was to embarrass those who dared to challenge his beliefs. One should not embarrass others for the purpose of satisfaction because it’s unnecessary. There’s nothingwrong with having different beliefs, but using them for the purpose of embarrassing others is disrespectful. Disrespect is one of the reasons why Socrates was disliked by many such as Meletus. Furthermore, Meletus made the right choice when he decided to send Socrates to trial. If Socrates has not been stopped, many youths might have become arrogant know-it-alls with no respect for others opinion.4. What is the origin of your point of view?
Socrates had every right to have his own beliefs and express them, but with certain ethics involved. For instance, Socrates should not be deprived of unrecognizing the gods and forming new deities. On the other hand, it’s unacceptable to persuade the youth with your aspects on holiness. Holiness is a controversial topic that easily startsaltercations. Socrates mistake was articulating his religious assumptions to the innocent minds of the youths. Religion is a very delicate topic and one must chose wisely with whom they discuss such matters.

5. What are your assumptions?
Perhaps, Socrates felt disrespected by how the residents of Athens refused to acknowledge his beliefs. For so long, the people of Athens rejected Socrates’ theoriesabout the gods. During his trial Socrates states “wicked people always do some harm to their closest neighbors while good people do them good, but I have reached such a pitched of ignorance that I do not realize this,” (30). The way people avoided Socrates’ opinions might have caused a change of heart in him. It’s reasonable to believe that the entire decline Socrates faced motivated him to developfeelings of negativity. Likewise, Socrates relieved these feelings of negligence by embarrassing his peers. It’s likely that the people of Athens themselves pressured Socrates into being more careless, aggressive, and disrespectful.

6. What are the reasons, evidence, and arguments that support your point of view?
In his trial Socrates states the following, “Furthermore, the young men who...