The Trial and Death of Socrates
(1) In Plato’s 1st Dialogue of The Trial and Death of Socrates, Socrates questions Euthyphro and his understanding of the nature of Piety and righteousness. What makes Euthyphro so confident that he knows what it means to be “Pious?” If he does really “know,” why won’t Socrates accept any of Euthyphro’s answers to the question “What is Piety?” (He seems to want that common denominator between all good or pious actions) What exactly is Socrates looking for when he says he wants to know “What makes all pious actions pious through one form?”
(2) Socrates asks, “Is the pious dear to the gods because it is pious or is it pious because it is dear to the gods?” What distinction is Socrates making between these two statements? Carefully explain. (Consider all the examples we discussed in class, i.e., of how different cultures view issues of right and wrong. What makes murder so wrong? Is it only wrong because society or the gods determine that it is wrong or do society and the gods rather recognize or observe rightness or wrongness as an “objective” quality in actions themselves? Which does he think is correct?
(3) In the beginning of the 2nd Dialogue, the Apology, Socrates tells the jury that after consulting the Oracle before trial he set out to find someone who knew more than he did, who was wiser than he was. However, having interviewed the politicians, poets, and craftsmen Socrates concludes that he is indeed the wisest man in Athens after all. How come? what was wrong with those he interviewed? Give reasons.
(4) In the “The Apology,” why has Socrates himself been charged by the state for having been “Impious?” Give specific reasons he was brought to trial.
(5) During the trial Socrates says he was placed in Athens for a particular purpose. What was it?
(6) What does Socrates mean when he says, “The unexamined life is not worth living?
(7) In The Apology, Socrates says that he does not fear “Death.” Why not? What are the 2 possible things that he says could happen when we die? Why does he think neither should be feared?
(8) Why isn’t Socrates “ashamed” of an “occupation” that now puts his own life at “risk,” i.e., practicing Philosophy? What does he say his persecutors should be most concerned with, especially if he is put to death? Be specific.
(9) Even though Socrates faces death, he claims, he cannot ultimately be “harmed” or injured by those who voted to execute him and warns it’s “not possible for a better man to be harmed by a worse.” What does he mean? Socrates further warns, they “did this in the belief that by killing people they would avoid giving an account of themselves” but that “just the opposite will happen.”
What does he predict will happen after he dies? {Consider other historical figures too, who were killed for challenging status quos like Martin Luther King, Jesus, Gandhi}
(10) In the 3rd Dialogue, “The Crito,” what reasons does Crito offer to convince Socrates to escape with him? Why don’t any of Crito’s reasons compel Socrates to leave prison—what reasons does Socrates himself give?
(11) Socrates argues that harming or causing injury to another “always harms the wrong doer” much more than the person he or she intends to harm. How so? Why, according to Socrates should one “never return an injury for an injury?” Why does Socrates regard escaping from prison to be itself a great a great “harm?” In what ways and exactly How would the state be hurt or injured if Socrates were to escape.
