Socrates believed that philosophy had a critical role in the lives of each individual. Philosophy was the driving factor behind how each person lived and their soul. One of his famous words was, “the unexamined life is not worth living” (Burnet 153). The philosopher greatly argued for self-awareness and knowing oneself, and in the process of self-knowledge, discovering the true nature of who one is and one’s identity, “once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves” (Burnet 158).
Socrates was known to question much of everything, especially the beliefs and principles of Athenian society at the time. He believed that one true self is the soul, not associated with social status, body, and riches. The soul, before Christianity, was seen as an inner being that defined each human being. Socrates believed that self-knowledge is recognizing the soul and learning to cultivate good in it while eliminating evil. In the end, happiness was the natural and desired end to life, and to achieve it, a person must attain the wisdom of what is good and what is evil and live their life accordingly “to care for one’s soul” (Burnet 146).
Eventually, the government of Athens was dissatisfied with Socrates’ teachings and growing following and put him on trial for asebeia against the pantheon of Athens and corruption of Athenian youth. Socrates presents his view of wisdom and the virtual as elements of moral truths, which defied the Athenian multi-god religion and social order, placing priests and judges at the top of the ladder. Socrates argued that he does in the will of the one god and to “either acquit me or not; but whatever you do, know that I shall never alter my ways, not even if I have to die many times” (Burnet 224).
As for corrupting the youth, Socrates argued that many supposedly corrupted have reached maturity and were present at the trial, testifying that no such thing occurred, and they became loyal friends and supporters. Eventually, Socrates was found guilty and chose to drink poison surrounded by supporters than face the same public punishment.
Work Cited
Burnet, John (editor). Plato’s Euthphro, Apology of Socrates and Cryto. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1977.