What Charges Led to the Execution of Socrates?
Reasons behind the execution of the Father of Western Thought.
Socrates is one of the most prominent and influential philosophers in all of history. He is widely known for developing the Socratic Method and as the father of Western thought.
Even though he did not author any books, he passed on his knowledge to his contemporaries (Plato and Xenophon, and Aristophanes), who wrote extensively about his work and teachings. Plato, specifically, gave an account of Socrates’ speech during his trial in The Apology. Despite the name, this piece depicts Socrates attempting to defend himself and his actions rather than apologizing for them.
In 399 B.C., the following formal charges were made against Socrates,
“Socrates is unjust both because he corrupts youth and because he does not recognize the gods the state recognizes, but rather other new divinities.”
He was found guilty and sentenced to death by forceful consumption of a deadly potion containing the poisonous plant hemlock.
“…does not recognize the gods the state recognizes”
In Ancient Greece, political power and developmental progress were believed to be derived and awarded by the gods; in…
