Socrates and Thomas More Trials - Essay Example

Task: Comparative paper between Socrates and Thomas More trials Consciousness is one of the most powerful aspects of human life. However, it comes a time when a person is faced with a dilemma in deciding as to whether to do what is required or have the courage to go against the requirements and follow his or her conscience. The pressure that seniors and the society can exert on an individual may be overwhelming at times. Additionally, the risk of loosing a job is inevitable when one decides to go against the requirements and follow conscience. The dilemma has become more wide spread across all fields and professions for instance in the United States a medical legislation requiring physicians to perform abortions in certain situations. This goes against the conscience of many, but the law permits it hence it takes a lot of courage to follow conscience and go against the requirement. Looking at such circumstances one quickly reflects to Saint Thomas More and Socrates. It compels one to dig deep to the cause of their deaths. However, there are several similarities and differences as to what they stood for and how the society perceived them. It is important to note that the comparison between Socrates and Thomas More trials should begin with a brief introduction of the two individuals and a brief background of what transpired during the two trials. Similarly, the similarities and differences will be clear after a thorough analysis of the two scenarios. However, this will be in line with consciousness, belief and religion. Additionally, how these elements are brought out in each case, the similarities and differences or how they were manifested in each trial. Socrates and religion Socrates has always been perceived as a wise individual; in fact, he has been considered the face of humanity. However, he created a major impact in the society as a virtuous man due to his high level of education at the time (Arendt and Baehr 397). He was a pagan and sought deeper and true religion beyond the Greek religion; he did not believe much in religion and the worship of gods. The fact that Socrates was a philosopher made him question everything including religion. At that time, most people worshipped gods but he did not believe in them. Nevertheless people treated him with a lot of respect even the learned also acknowledged him. In the ancient days religion played a very critical role in the society. Those who did not follow religion were strongly condemned hence due to this pressure most people worshiped gods. Socrates and Consciousness In 406B.C, at the age of sixty-three, he became a member of the by then well-known sub-council called prytaneis. This sub-council was subordinate to the council of five hundred which had the mandate to oversee the activities of the assembly. Similarly, the council of five hundred brought the proposal to the assembly for approval purposes. However, Socrates came into the lame light when he strongly opposed an illegal proposal to try the six admirals as a group instead of individually as spelled out by the Athens law by then. The six admirals were among the eight who returned from war and left behind their dead and wounded in a sinking ship. Furthermore, this was against the Athens law. Bound by his oath of office Socrates could not allow the illegal proposal to be taken to the assembly for a vote. However, Socrates faced a lot of pressure from the society, and the authorities but he did not cecum to it. At that time, the people bailed for the blood of the six admirals, and the authorities were ready to pass judgment but Socrates was not part of it. In 403 B.C, Athens was under the rule of the Thirty Tyrants with Socrates aged sixty-six. He was given direct orders to go and arrest a wealthy man by the name Leon of Salamis. Socrates believed that Leon was a democrat and could not accept arresting him for execution. He believed that the Thirty Tyrants were out to grab Leon’s large estate by claiming that he is a traitor hence executing him. Socrates was among four others who were given the same orders, but he left them to go and arrest Leon and decided to go home. Consequently, Socrates had taught and been a friend to the Thirty Tyrants (Johnson 140). Most people believed that Socrates critiqued democracy and was a strong supporter of philosophical ideologies. From these scenarios, it is clear that Socrates had a very clear conscience in whatever he did including his work in the authorities. Socrates and belief A man named Meletus charged Socrates of refusing to worship the gods and that were recognized in the country and inciting others not to do the same. Similarly, Meletus charged Socrates of corrupting the young people and the penalty for these crimes was death. At the time, the prosecutor determined the penalty for a crime, and the defendant gave a counter penalty hence it was the jury’s decision that determined what sentence to give when the defendant was found guilty (Leibowitz 32). Socrates visited the king in order to establish the validity of the charges and if they were in accordance with the rule of law. Later Socrates was found guilty and sentenced to death. Thomas More and religion Thomas More was deeply rooted in Christianity and followed teachings of the church. Furthermore, Saint Thomas More had a lot of experience in law and was a prominent judge, unlike Socrates (Anastaplo 264). For this reason, he had done a lot of preparation for his trial. In his trial, he was not only defending himself but also his family, his church, his country and his English tradition. He faced a lot of opposition form the king, his family, his friends and the church except for Bishop Fisher. More’s accusers spent an equally good amount of time preparing for this trial (William, More and Rowse 125). However, scheduling the trial was not an easy task because it took a lot of effort preparing it and finally on July 1, 1535 More finally made his first appearance before fifteen judges. Moreover, for the trial not to be impartial, some dignitaries were invited to sit in including Lord Chancellor Audley, the Duke of Norfolk among other dignitaries. More was a strong Christian and believed in God, when the Duke of Norfolk granted him a pardon if only he confessed and apologized, he declined the offer saying that his upright mind and the Lord will see him through. Even to his last hour he never gave up hope and believed that the honor and power was God’s. Thomas More and Consciousness Saint Thomas More was charged with four counts of treason and that he has deliberately refuse to acknowledge the supremacy of the king over the Church of England. This shows a very strong conscious because Thomas More believed that God was the head of the church. However, looking at the differences of between Saint Thomas More and SocratesMore held a very high office in his country while Socrates was not involved in politics. More was a brilliant lawyer and this enabled him to move up quickly and finally he was the successor to Cardinal Wolsey hence becoming second in command after the king. Conversely, Socrates stayed away from public office claiming that he had a prophetic voice that told him not to get involved in public affairs. However, both Thomas More and Socrates had great respect for the law. This is clearly seen while they were being accused, none of them blamed the law instead they continued defending the value of law hence this shows similarity in consciousness. Similarly, this is evident from their reactions to events for instant Socrates refused to escape from jail even when the guard was bribed because it was a direct violation of the law. Additionally, Thomas More believed that the law governed the state, but he termed it as the law made by man. For him, the law of God was the supreme law. Socrates believed that it was the jury that had unfairly condemned him and not the law as his friends believed hence showing that Socrates had high respect for the law (Brickhouse, Thomas and Nicholas 104). Similarly, he believes that all people ought to respect the law because they grew under it and by choosing to settle in Athens they had to abide by the law. Additionally, their parents were bound by it so should the people. There is a difference between the death of Socrates and Thomas in that the death of Socrates is unclear while that of Thomas died by execution because he refused to sign the succession act. Additionally, it was mandatory for one to take any oath when signing the succession act that Thomas declined. Eventually, he died because of following his conscience not to acknowledging the parliamentary authority to rule over matters of religion, for instance, the Papal Supremacy. However, looking as Socrates, he was a philosopher, and for this reason, most of the leaders felt threatened with his doctrines and teachings. Additionally, he challenged authorities and embarrassed them in public, but this did not warrant for his death he would as well gone on exile. Another similarity between the two is that they had the option of avoiding death by just compromising. Socrates had the option of practicing his philosophy somewhere else hence avoiding death, but he did not because he felt he would be going against his conscience. Similarly, Thomas too could have avoided death by just taking the oath and acknowledging the king as the head of the England Church. Additionally, both of them constantly resisted the advices from friends and family. For instance, Crito, a friend to Socrates, organized for his escape from prison, but Socrates declined. Similarly, the Duke of Norfolk tried to offer amnesty to Thomas, but Thomas declined the offer and proceeded with the trial. Another similarity is that both were not afraid of death, the joked with the moments and were not scared for instance Socrates asked to give libation to the god of healing. Additionally, he looked calm by the time which is the same case to Thomas More; he spent most of his time in prison writing. In conclusion, the death of both Socrates and Thomas did not accomplish anything as much as the stood for their faith, conscience and what they believed in (Allyn 92). For instance, Socrates died at the age of seventy leaving behind a wife and two sons. His death was devastating to the family, and they did not gain anything because Socrates was not reach hence his death did not have any impact in the society and people went on with their lives. This is also similar to the death of Thomas, as his family and friends were grieved. They did not understand the course that Thomas stood for because they felt he could have just compromised and lived, instead of resisting and being beheaded. However, both men showed a lot of courage of conscience and stood for what they believed in no matter what others thought about them. Similarly, they had a massive appreciation land no matter how much people condemned them. Works Cited Allyn, Emily. Moreana: bulletin Thomas More: [a festschrift on Mores Utopia in honor of Edward Surtz, S. J., November 1971]. Angers: Moreana, 1971. Print. Anastaplo, George. On trial: from Adam & Eve to O.J. Simpson. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2004. Print. Arendt, Hannah, and Peter Baehr. The portable Hannah Arendt. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. Print. Brickhouse, Thomas C., and Nicholas D. Smith. Routledge philosophy guidebook to Plato and the trial of Socrates. New York: Routledge, 2004. Print. Brickhouse, Thomas C., and Nicholas D. Smith. Socratic moral psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print. Johnson, David M. Socrates and Athens. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print. Leibowitz, David M. The ironic defense of Socrates: Platos apology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print. Roper, William, Thomas More, and A. L. Rowse. A man of singular virtue: being a life of Sir Thomas More by his son-in-law William Roper, and a selection of Mores letters. London: Folio Society, 1980. Print. HoHhhiadhiadiahdiaadhai Read More