Saturday, January 11, 2014

Imagine that you are a member of the Athenian jury hearing the case of Socrates. How would you vote? Why?

This is a difficult question to answer, as it's hard to put oneself in the shoes of a juror from an age so long past. It is dubious to hypothetically think of myself as an Athenian, as I have no reference for what that frame of mind must be like. For example, while I am highly invested in democracy as a framework for governance, I might entertain doubts about it were I living in post-war Athens, as Socrates did. All that being said, I would very much like to believe that I would vote on behalf of Socrates's innocence. Though his radical candor, apparent arrogance, and skepticism in regard to democracy were no doubt infuriating to the leaders of Athens, Socrates was guilty of nothing but sharing his ideas with people who wanted to learn. The charges against him—impiety and corruption of youth—did not truly reflect what issue Athens took with him.

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