Interview
with Plato, Part II:
Socrates'
Trial and Execution
Xenocrates:
How fascinating that a man who believed he knew nothing could
be the wisest of us all! Do you think the charges against him were
true?
Plato: I
believe the charges were entirely false! It still makes me angry
to think about them. The authorities accused him of not believing
in the gods, but Socrates believed very strongly in the gods. And
to say he corrupted the young is outrageous. He devoted his life
to encouraging young - and old - people to live morally.
Xenocrates:
Did he defend himself?
Plato:
He stated that the charges were probably invented by those who resented
his critical questioning. In defense of his inquisitiveness, he
used an apt comparison: He described himself as a gadfly, or stinging
fly, to the city of Athens, whose purpose was to stimulate and bother
the lazy, complacent people. This is why he asked so many questions.
Xenocrates:
Why did he stay in prison and accept his death sentence? He
had so many friends who would have helped him get away.
Plato: I
supported another close friend of his, Crito, to try to persuade
him to escape because I was devastated at the thought of losing
him. He was such a good teacher! However, he explained to me and
the others who followed him that it wouldn't be right for him to
flee. He said that he had made a choice to live in Athens and, therefore,
he had to accept the judgment of Athens.
Xenocrates:
But why wasn't he afraid of death?
Plato:
He was convinced death would free his immortal soul from an imperfect
human body. He reasoned that one of two things would happen. Either
his soul would be annihilated, in which case he would feel no more
pain or suffering, nor, indeed, any emotion. Or his soul would go
to a better world where he would be able to chat with the great
minds who died before him. Though I was not present at his death,
my friend Phaedo gave me a detailed account of what happened. Socrates
voluntarily and cheerfully drank the poison hemlock as if it were
wine, and died surrounded by many friends who loved him. I truly
wish I could have been there.
Xenocrates:
Thank you for sharing your memories, Plato. I think your reflections
have helped us to appreciate the legacy of Socrates.
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