What does he mean by saying that if the Athenians put him to death they will hurt themselves more than him?

The truth is that in putting Socrates to death, they are harming themselves far more than they are doing harm to him. That which one should regard as most important is not the avoidance of death but rather the avoidance of unrighteousness.

What does Socrates say he would do if he was told that he would be allowed to be let go on the condition of no longer practicing philosophy?

Socrates goes further to suggest that if the court were to acquit him only on the condition that he give up philosophizing, he would refuse their offer, choosing to die rather than to abandon his duty to Apollo.

What does Socrates hope to persuade Athenians to do?

Socrates must persuade the jury if he is to save his life. But the manner and means by which he is prepared to try to persuade them are limited by his concern above all for the truth and his desire to persuade only by convincing the jury of the relevant facts.

What did Socrates mean when he referred to himself as a gadfly?

When Socrates refers to himself as a gadfly during his trial, he means that he is like an examiner of things. He said that “he was given to the state by the god.”(Socrates, The Apology) He means by this that he was put here to ask questions to examine life and its surroundings.

How does Socrates define his own form of wisdom?

The Awareness of One’s Own Intellectual Limitations Socratic wisdom refers to Socrates’ understanding of the limits of his knowledge in that he only knows that which he knows and makes no assumption of knowing anything more or less.

Why does Socrates say that if the Athenian court let him go free under the condition that he stops philosophizing he will disobey this order?

Why does Socrates say that if the Athenian court lets him go free under the condition that he stops philosophizing, he will disobey this order? Socrates makes this statement because philosophy is central to his life, and he has no intention of continuing to exist without it practicing it.

What is Socrates saying in the apology?

Socrates tells the “men of Athens” that he wants to be judged according to his account of himself and not by any other standard — such as appealing to his old age or the fact that he has children. Thus Socrates wishes to be judged and not “forgiven” or let off for any other reason than that it is JUST to do so.

What did Socrates say he was trying to persuade people to do?

The citizen is bound to the Laws like a child is bound to a parent, and so to go against the Laws would be like striking a parent. Rather than simply break the Laws and escape, Socrates should try to persuade the Laws to let him go. Thus, Socrates convinces Crito that it would be better not to attempt an escape.

Why does Socrates prefer death to exile?

Why does Socrates prefer death to exile? He is too old to go wandering city to city, always being driven out. He says he will die of old age soon anyhow.

Why were Athenians so upset with Socrates?

Although Socrates was eager to admit his ignorance in claiming that he was not wise, his apparent knowledge of all subjects as well as his general air of superiority made fellow Athenians jealous of him. This could very well have been another influencing factor on the jury to give the verdict of guilty.

Why did Athens condemn Socrates to death?

He was found guilty of “impiety” and “corrupting the young”, sentenced to death, and then required to carry out his own execution by consuming a deadly potion of the poisonous plant hemlock. Politicians and historians have often used the trial to show how democracy can go rotten by descending into mob rule.

What did Socrates say about his accusers?

Socrates accepts that he has been outrun by death, but points out that, unlike him, his accusers have been outrun by wickedness. While he has been condemned to death by a human jury, his accusers have been convicted of depravity and injustice by no less a tribunal than Truth herself.

What is Socrates final address to the jury?

This time, the margin is greater–over two thirds–in contrast to the narrow margin that found Socrates guilty. Socrates now makes his final address to the jury before being led off to prison. He warns those that sentenced him that they will hereafter be blamed for putting a wise man to death.

What is the conclusion of Socrates’ story?

The conclusion Socrates reaches, then, is that the good man has nothing to fear either in this life or the next. He denies any grudge against his accusers, even though they seek his life, and asks his friends to look after his three sons and to make sure that they always put goodness above money or other earthly trappings.

What does Socrates say about the difficulty of running away from death?

The difficulty, as he sees it, is not to outrun death, but to outrun wickedness, which is a far more dogged pursuer. Socrates accepts that he has been outrun by death, but points out that, unlike him, his accusers have been outrun by wickedness.