As a child of Socrates, I would want him to act in the way that he did because although it may lead up to a horrible ending, he was able to fight for his own cause rather than sit back and be accused of false accusations. He was able to prove his point to the people in Plato’s “Apology”, that if you kill him, there will be no difference as there are others just like him. I agree with his decision to explain to the people his side, even though he was convicted to death, as he was able to argue that his accusations were pretty useless. In Plato’s “Crito”, Socrates was able to convince Crito that he would rather face death than live a life full of guilt. I would support his decision as he would give me this sense of pride in the end.
In Plato’s “Apology”, he is able to account the events of Socrates’ trial. Socrates was able to state that of the accusations that he was given, he had “nothing to do with these studies” and that there are people in the crowd that are “witnesses to the truth of this” (Plato, 2). The whole accusation that he was corrupting the youth and that he does not believe in God was proven to be false as Socrates proved to the people. He began to question Meletus to how he was the only one corrupting the youth asking him “who is their improver” if was the only one to be seen as the corrupter (Plato, 6).
There cannot be just one corrupter as people do not always think the same way. Meletus began to answer Socrates saying that he is the only one, which does not make sense as we constantly learn from other people. They may not have the same thoughts and beliefs, but through their explanations, we are able to learn more and move forward to the future. Socrates even commented on his sentence saying that he was “far advanced in years” compared to others as he was able to come up with a proper defense that not only prove him to be innocent, but to educate the people of Athens (Plato, 12).
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Even though Socrates faced a rather gruesome ending, he was able to defend himself. He tried to persuade the people and if I were his child, I would be for that decision as in my mind he did nothing wrong. Meletus and the people of Athens were mostly scared of him and his teachings since they seemed to be more close minded. Crito tried to give Socrates a chance to escape prison, which was ultimately denied. Through his questioning to Crito, Socrates was able to prove his point to why he would not escape and run away saying “and are doing what only a miserable slave would do, running away and turning your back upon the compacts and agreements which you made as a citizen” (Plato, 7).
If he decided to run away, there still will be this sense of guilt wherever he goes. It is not like he will stop his teachings, instead death is the only way can escape. There will be no pride in leaving as people will still “be angry with you while you live”, mentioned in “Crito” (Plato, 9). I would not want to continue any more, watching my father continue to be weighed down by the judgements of others.
It can be argued that Socrates could have just apologized to the people rather than go about basically admitting to his teachings. In Plato’s “Apology”, Socrates, in the end, tells the people of Athens that once his children grow up that he would want them to be punished just as he was (Plato, 14). They did nothing wrong, it was merely Socrates’ fault. If I were their shoes, I would not want to receive any backlash and trouble towards what my own father did. Why exactly would we have to face punishment, when he was the one at fault, not us? He did not have to defend himself as the people of the court will still make the decision of him being guilty.
If he only apologized, he could have been exempted of death and be able to live a happier life with his family somewhere else. It is not like the people of the next town will be the same. In his argument, he is telling the people that all of their accusations of him are indeed wrong and that as he is trying to defend himself, which ultimately leads to the decision for him to be guilty. He even mentions in his speech that “I made up my mind that I would run the risk, having law and justice with me, rather than take part in your injustice because I feared imprisonment and death” (Plato, 10).
If he feared the consequences, why would he still defend himself, knowing that the result will end up becoming death? Crito even gave him a chance to escape death and even made his point in that “men will love you in other places to which you may go, and not in Athens only” (Plato, 3). He made an excellent point that there are people out there that will enjoy his teachings. If Socrates enjoys teaching, he can continue his teachings in other places. He has other choices than to face death, which can be seen as an easy way out. There are people out there that have learned from his teachings that did not choose to justify that Socrates was corrupting the youth. Socrates even asked those people that have “gown up and have become sensible that I gave them bad advice in the days of their youth should come forward as accusers and take their revenge” and to the surprise of many, none of them came forward (Plato, 10). His teachings do matter to others and if he decides to escape, he could have continued his teachings and educate more people.
Even though Socrates could have just apologized to the judges and to the people of Athens, how could he be satisfied telling them that he was sorry for saying such words? Would that stop him from continuing to teach? Socrates was able to encourage those like him to preach as there are people out there that will be similar to him and his beliefs. He made an excellent point saying that “and if I say exile, I must indeed be blinded by the love of life if I were to consider that when you, who are my own citizens, cannot endure my discourses and words, and have found them so grievous and odious that you would fain have done with them, others are likely to endure me” (Plato, 12).
Even if he leaves and escapes death, there will be a sense of guilt left, not letting him move on and continue to teach knowing that there are people that will still not agree with what he is doing. Through his defense, he is able to educate the people that he is not the main evil-doer as there will be more like him, preaching about beliefs that not everyone will agree with. As a child of Socrates, I would much rather see my father defend his rights than to watch him say sorry for something he should not be sorry for. It is not like he physically harmed them, he instead just shared his own beliefs and opinions to the people. He did not command people to think the same way as him.
There will be people that will not always agree and instead of just apologizing for your actions, you can educate them giving them your own side to your story and how you were able to come up with those beliefs. It can be difficult to see your father being sentenced to death. Socrates stated to Crito that “for I amand always have been one of those natures who must be guided by reason, whatever the reason may be which upon reflection appears to me to be the best” (Plato, 3). It is better to respect his decision because if he decides to leave, there will be others that will not be happy.
