The Trial of Socrates
In the trial of Socrates, I juror number 307, Ryan Callahan vote the defendant is Not Guilty on the first charge of Corrupting the youth. My justifications for this vote are as follows. Socrates didn 't corrupt the youth, he just shared his ideas with them and they in turn chose the path to take these ideas. Part of understanding this case is understand the time in which the case was held. This time being 399 B.C., a time in which Athens was a free democratic city, a town which prided itself at the time on the fact that its citizens had much freedom, particularly freedom of speech. Socrates believed that only people who were educated should rule the people, which meant that people were not capable of government participation unless they had the proper knowledge to do so effectively. The charge of corrupting the youth originated because the people felt that Socrates teachings had led to the many uprisings by his students. Keep in mind that none of these uprising that had occurred have been backed by Socrates nor did they originate due to any action by Socrates. Socrates supposedly had the right to freedom of speech but now somehow was on trial for doing just that. This trial, I feel, is more of a convenience for Athens than a civil right. Athens has been disturbed by Socrates students and there is no law being broken. This is frustrating and they found out how to take care of the problem. Create bogus charges on Socrates and put him to death. These charges that are a result of fear of another uprising were brought forth by three men. The three men were Anytus, Meletus, and Lycon. Now granted Socrates was unable to defend himself to the best of his ability. Whether or not this is the route he chose or if he was incapable, I am unable to decide but one has to focus on the mere facts of the case. The way that I see it is that Socrates did not corrupt the youth. Socrates spread his ideas and teachings to the youths which is perfectly legal.