Progression of Socrates Mission - Essay Example

1. Socrates’ defense:
   • Against the old accusations
     • Socrates was accused of receiving money for teaching. While he denied it, he said that there is nothing dishonorable about this (19e to 20a).
     • The accusation of being too inquisitive – a “busybody” (19c) – Socrates simply denied, and countered that his accusers were angry at him because he unmasked their lack of wisdom.
   • Against the new accusations (by Meletus)
     • On the charge that Socrates corrupted the young, Socrates asked Meletus if he believed the laws, the judges, the Councillors, and the people in the Assembly, all contributed to the improvement of the young, Meletus answered yes, and that only Socrates corrupted them (24e-25a). Socrates drew a parallel with horse trainers and showed that normally, the majority of influences would tend to be bad and the few good. This shows Meletus's charge is not for the welfare of the young but for his spite (25c).
     • On the charge that Socrates was an atheist because he believed in demigods, Socrates pointed out that this was a contradiction in itself since to believe in demigods was to believe in God, and therefore he could not be an atheist at the same time (26a-27e).

2. When Socrates proposed his punishment, he first argued that what he had done was to provide a good for others, for which his punishment should be some “benefit” (36d) such as “free meals in the Prytaneum” (37a). One might say that by such levity, Socrates was treating the entire matter trivially; this is hard to imagine, however, since he was a perceptive and wise man and could appreciate the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of his adversaries. One could only deduce that he was being brutally honest and rational in asserting that he deserved to be rewarded rather than punished, for the good he had done to others, and for treating no one unjustly (37b).
3. Socrates’ view of death is a blessing, not an evil (40c) and the afterlife can only be one of two things – a non-existence, or transformation of the soul to a different world. If it were the first, then the dead person will have no awareness at all, like a deep sleep where the sleeper did not even dream, which is then “a marvelous gain” (40d). If death were so, then Socrates would count it to be a most “agreeable” thing comparable to a single night’s rest.  On the other hand, if death were a transformation then he counts it as the greatest blessing, to be rid of the false “jurors” who ruled against him and instead be in the presence of the demigods and great men who lived righteous lives (41a).   By so dissecting the possibilities of the afterlife, Socrates can comfort his friends with his vision of death.  He goes to meet death as a great adventure, or at the very least a restful sleep. Therefore, Socrates did not fear death but only saw it as the threshold to a wonderful afterlife.  
4. In 38a, Socrates asserts that the unexamined life is not worth living. As a Christian, I believe that all life is worth living because life is a gift. Therefore, even the mentally or psychologically impaired can live meaningful lives.  However, it is not better to be ignorant. We who are given the mental capability to think should examine our lives to live them to the fullest. It takes an examination of one’s life to arrive at an understanding of oneself and his ultimate destination. As persons, it is part of our nature to think about these matters. Looking for life’s meaning is a search that one cannot do too much of, philosophers more because it is their vocation.  Humanity seeks to understand phenomena, life included, and only when the understanding is complete would this desire be satisfied.

I am studying to be an elementary school teacher. I’ve worked with children volunteering at park districts coaching baseball since I was 17 and this is what led me toward Elementary Education. The knowledge I consider important would reflect a well-rounded person with more specific knowledge to that of their craft. I think there is more to life than the temporary trappings and treasures and trinkets we find so important in daily life. I want to know that when I have gone I left this place better than when I arrived.