Socrates and His “Apology” Story

            Socrates was a philosopher that seemed to value the pursuit of truth and wisdom more than pursuing wealth and power.  He was taken to court by some men in the city of Athens on charges that were proven not be true in my opinion.  He was brought up on four charges, the first of which of being an evil-doer physicist.  The second charge is that of him being a sophist who tutors young men for money. The third argument calls him guilty of corrupting young people and the final charge of being a believer of other gods not recognized by the state.  With his life on the line Socrates stands tall to defend his innocence, and with defiance and determination, he goes on to show the court, his accusers, and the witnesses that there is not enough evidence to find him guilty of such crimes.

          To the first charge of him being an evil-doer physicist who searches into things under the earth and in heaven and makes the worse appear the better cause, Socrates takes the better and direct route of denial.  He claims his innocence in such matters saying he has nothing to do with those studies, that it is all simply nonsense with no credible witnesses to testify otherwise. Socrates is quick to point out these are rumors that perhaps were started after a comedy writer named Aristophanes created a fictional character bearing Socrates name, one who can walk in the air, but are not to be believed if no one in real life can back those charges.

           He challenges his main accuser Meletus to provide evidence or any witness that can say he is involved in such accusations.  He then asks those present to speak up against him if they find truth in such charge, or to ask around to all their neighbors for anyone who may have seen such thing.  No one came forward, therefore putting that charge to rest.

          The second charge against Socrates claims that he is a paid tutor, one who teaches the youth and therefore gets paid.  He points that he’s heard of such men who go from town to town and persuade young men to pay for lessons, he names a few and he calls them sophists.  To this Socrates says he does not possess knowledge of human and political virtue that would entitle him to get paid for.  If he did he would be very proud and conceited, and to that is he none.  He says there is no foundation of truth behind this allegation and once again no one in the prosecution side has any evidence.