Evil
In “The Apology” Socrates reveals a profound defense that no one knowingly does evil. Socrates defense does not rely on the right to freely expressing ones ideas, but rests entirely on revealing the ignorance of his accusers. This defense begins after Meletus declares that Socrates solely corrupts the youth by himself; everyone else in Athens helps the youth. Socrates creates an analogy and compares Meletus statement to horses and horse-trainers. Socrates exposes that horse-trainers must have many years of experience to positively influence a horse; he is suggesting that if it takes such specialty to improve a horse it would be foolish to think everyone in Athens except Socrates has a positive influence on the youth.
Socrates defense continues after Meletus accuses him of intentionally corrupting the youth. Socrates then starts his justification of no one knowingly does evil. He states: in “The Apology” pg. 512 “that if I make one of my associates bad I shall risk getting some evil from him to such depth as to do so great an evil act intentionally, as you say? “ On the same page he goes on to say “But if I do it without intent, there is no law to bring a man into court for accidental mistakes….”The first quote describes that if Socrates had intentionally tried to corrupt the youth he would be corrupting himself, and that would be ignorant. Socrates had been suggested to be the wisest man. The wisest man would not commit an act so ignorant knowing it was wrong. Also Socrates points out why would he go out of his way for so many years to corrupt the youth, he gains nothing. The Second quote also fits into his defense because; if he had harmed the youth involuntarily it can not be a crime, since it is an accident. The law would be to educate Socrates on how to help the youth properly.
The Accusers Next accusation was made my Zeus saying Socrates was a man who believed in no god. Socrates proclaims in “The Apology” pg. 514 “Is there anyone who believes in
Socrates defense continues after Meletus accuses him of intentionally corrupting the youth. Socrates then starts his justification of no one knowingly does evil. He states: in “The Apology” pg. 512 “that if I make one of my associates bad I shall risk getting some evil from him to such depth as to do so great an evil act intentionally, as you say? “ On the same page he goes on to say “But if I do it without intent, there is no law to bring a man into court for accidental mistakes….”The first quote describes that if Socrates had intentionally tried to corrupt the youth he would be corrupting himself, and that would be ignorant. Socrates had been suggested to be the wisest man. The wisest man would not commit an act so ignorant knowing it was wrong. Also Socrates points out why would he go out of his way for so many years to corrupt the youth, he gains nothing. The Second quote also fits into his defense because; if he had harmed the youth involuntarily it can not be a crime, since it is an accident. The law would be to educate Socrates on how to help the youth properly.
The Accusers Next accusation was made my Zeus saying Socrates was a man who believed in no god. Socrates proclaims in “The Apology” pg. 514 “Is there anyone who believes in