Benguet State University

GRADUATE SCHOOL
La Trinidad, Benguet

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Social Sciences

The story of Socrates was a tragic one because at a ripe age of seventy
years old he was unjustly charged of corrupting the youth and spoke against the gods.
He was wrongly accused by Meletus, Anytus, and Lycon and was criticized for thinking
differently and individually. The men he was surrounded by at this trial were citizens who
abide or at least pretended to abide by the law. Socrates criticized one of his accusers
and told them and the jury that there was no substantial proof of his allegations.

Socrates used logical reasoning and in no way apologetic of his views. His
commitment to the idea that goodness is the sole goal for man remains heroically
steadfast throughout the proceedings. He delivered his arguments with impressive
rhetorical skill and exquisitely reasoned arguments. The philosopher argued steadily and
soberly, never pleaded nor showed frustration. In fact, he found pleading to be impious
because it was a weak attempt to subvert justice with sympathy in the minds of the judges.
At one point, Meletus was caught off guard and did not know what to say because he was
dumfounded by the philosopher’s arguments.

After his conviction and condemnation, his tone remained even, and he merely
reiterated the damage that his condemners do to themselves by their decision, for he
strongly believed that no one can really harm a good man - in life or death. All Socrates
claimed to know was that his peculiar inner divine guide never opposed him in his
steadfast protest of his innocence, nor did it object when he refused to compromise his
principles to gain a lighter sentence. This belief made him feel that he was on his way to
something better than this life, for he did not believe that his divine guide would lead him
to obliteration. Therefore he departed this world in peace and good faith.

Submitted by: Joseph N. Fabro

Introduction to Philosophy, MA Social Studies