What can the trial of Socrates teach us about the ethics of democratic citizenship - Essay Example

He defended his ideas against critics who tried to challenge him to prove them. Many people were surprised with amount of audacity and confidence he showed even at a time his was threatened. He never doubted his intellectual wit and his philosophical findings. He surprised many people in his country and across the world when he rather chose to die but not change his philosophical ideas he had invented (Hiley, 66). The life of Socrates and lesson people learned from his trial that led to his death is clearly discussed.

The effects of his trial to the current ethics of democratic citizenship is discussed and broadly evaluated. The trial of Socrates is firmly written the books of history because it had a great impact on the modern and ancient history of philosophy. He was one of the best and popular philosophers during his time. The citizen of the Athens arrested Socrates and brought him to judgment after hearing his philosophical findings. A big number of the people did not agree with the way he reasoned about life and they felt that they were being offended with such sayings.

They called him to council of about five hundred citizen to face charges that were against him. The person to record the proceedings of the court process was Plato, his former student whom he had taught. Athenian law required the suspect to gather his own defense and present them on the floor, and one was required to gather his/her family to come and give emotional support. Socrates never allowed his family to step to the courtroom arguing that they make him lose concentration. After several court sessions, the acting judges who included Meletus, Lycon and Anytus found and ruled that Socrates was guilty.

They ruled that he was influencing and corrupting the minds of the youths. He faced death as punishment to his crime, and his friends watched helplessly as drunk hemlock that was prepared for him. The citizens of Athens were surprised by the way he strongly defended his philosophical ideas and courageously faced death. His death brought a great impact in the world of ancient philosophical history. The Socrates trial and death has many lessons that can be learned from the ethics of a democratic citizen.

There are democratic virtues that Socrates had, and they include eternal skepticism, which a citizen is allowed to have a broad and open dialogue on views commented by other citizens. The other democratic virtues are ability to participate and demonstrate without being brought to judgment (Talisse). Historians remain puzzled on the trial, especially with the present freedom evidenced in the societal setting. It is indeed strange how one can be victimized for being a teacher, and such teachings result in demise.

Further, it is indeed strange why one would be put to death when a natural death was eminent. This clearly demonstrated that Socrates was not a wanted individual in the society and there was no ethics displayed in the actions. Socrates significantly contributed in awakening the societal standpoint on political and ethical dealings and the misconceptions that are often involved in the two. Through his actions, he successfully demonstrated that there existed several fallacies in democratic citizenship.

"The unexamined life is not worth living" is among the quotes he presented to elucidate this fact. Further, what one considered virtuous may not be necessarily seen in a similar manner in another area or by another person. Therefore, egalitarian citizenship varied depending on the location; hence, the trial may have diverse teachings. Rather than rebutting his teachings and his beliefs on his teachings, Socrates chose to die. He thus evidenced his moral commitment, since he