POLS 2310 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Meletus, Formal Charge
Document Summary
Socrates is an atheist who believes in new gods. (contradiction on meletus" part) Socrates does not believe in the gods of athens, rather he believes in new gods. Plato makes socrates defend himself badly against the formal charge. (does not produce witnesses, clear evidence) Socrates claims to have proven that he is not guilty of the formal charges. Socrates: you"re wrong if you think i should be motivated by right/wrong. 2nd of the times that plato makes socrates explain what he does. Oracle story is representative of the harm that socrates causes to the community. Socrates explains the good he does for the people of athens. Socrates compares himself to achilles and this is seen as an insult to the people of athens. Socrates has courage to do what is just. Wrong is to disobey the superior (anyone with authority) Socrates will continue to study philosophy even if they prohibit it. Socrates places his judgment about justice above the law.
