Socrates and His Submission to Law - Essay Example

Socrates Introduction Socrates was a religious man and was ready to undergo anything to defend his religion. Socrates adored his religion although the government did not want it. In the Apology, Socrates explains to the July that his religion was very important, and it was mandatory act according to what the gods said. His love for obedience to the gods made him continue practicing philosophy despite the great resistance from the government. In another occasion, the Crito, Socrates stated that it was of importance to comply to the laws of Athens it is very clear that he is patriotic, and he values the laws of the land. All through the book Socrates proves his respect for the law as well as his deep desire to continue studying philosophy. This paper will discuss why Socrates submitted to the law despite being innocent and it will seek to prove that Socrates love for his religion was far above his willingness to cooperate with the laws of Athens, and that he also respected the laws very much. During Socrates trial in the Apology, he stated to the Jury that he believed in what his gods commanded him to doing, and he would remain in his philosophical missions regardless of any situations. The Jury offered him the chance for freedom is he would quit his philosophical missions but Socrates said that even if it meant choosing between staying in prison and being free because of his religion, he would choose remaining in prison and continuing with his philosophy. Socrates had been imprisoned because he had spent a lot of time in investigation and practicing philosophy. In one occasion one member of the July said, "If you said to me in this regard: Socrates, we do not believe Anytus now; we acquit you, but only on the condition that you spend no more time on this investigation and do not practice philosophy, and if you are caught doing so you will die, if , as I say , you were to acquit me on those terms, I would say to you : " (Plato 29c-d) Through this statement, the Jury made it clear that they were completely against Socrates ideas and religion ad they were only going to set him free on condition that he quitted his philosophical mission. In response to this statement, Socrates stated that, "Gentlemen of the jury, I am grateful, and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy"(Plato 29c-d) Through this response, Socrates made it clear to the July that he was not ready to buy their decision and that he respected his religion more than the law. The fear of suffering in prison could not pullback Socrates philosophical mission. He chooses to go against the law and be denied independence on the expense of continuing to study philosophy. Socrates respected the law very much to the extent that he would choose to die at the expense of obeying the law. This is manifested when he awaits his death in Crito. A friend offers to help him escape the prisons but he chooses not to try to escape because he respects the law. In Crito, Socrates said that, “You must either persuade it or obey its orders, and endure in silence whatever it instructs you to endure, whether blows or bonds, and if it leads you into war to be wounded or killed, you must obey. To do so is right, and one must not give way or retreat or leaves ones post, but both in war and in courts and everywhere else, one must obey the commands of ones city and country, or persuade it as to the nature of justice."(Plato, Grube, Cooper 51b-c) Socrates made it clear to his friend that he was not going to escape prison, and he would rather die than break the laws of Athens, Socrates demonstrates his respect for the law and unlike many other prisoners he chooses death over bending the law. Although he contradicts himself since earlier he had said that he would rather choose his religion than the law, Socrates demonstrates that he has respect and love for both the law and his philosophical mission. Some authors analyzing Socrates life and beliefs have argued that he was no true to himself since on certain occasions he sided with the law while on others he sided with his philosophical mission. However, he showed his respect and love for both and he proves to the reader that personal missions are as important as the law. Miller and Nicholas in their book, ‘reason for their religion in Socratic philosophy’ discuss Socrates life, his decision and stands on various occasions. According to authors, Socrates was torn between his religion and respecting the law. Personally, he valued his philosophical mission while on the other hand being a Nationalist; he had much value to states laws (Miller & Nicholas 112). Socrates life experiences proved that he was dedicated to his decisions and could not be lured away by any favors. This book conforms to the thesis of this paper since they prove that Socrates loved religion and respecting the law equally. Taylor in his journal, the classic quarterly, discusses the faith of Socrates and demonstrates his respect for religion. Taylor says that, Socrates religion was different from that of other ordinary Athenians since he was committed to it under all conditions (Taylor 159). In the contemporary society, people love their lives more that their religion or their respect for the law. In many circumstances people break the laws in order to run away with certain situations. The modern society has no deep value for religion or law as that of Socrates. On normal occasions nobody would choose to die in prison and they have a chance to escape. Even the greatest preachers in the modern world prioritize the law higher than their religions since they do their ministries under the law. In conclusion, Socrates had a high respect for both the law and his religion. Works Cited Miller, Nicholas D. Smith James F., ed. Reason and religion in Socratic philosophy. Oxford University Press, 2000. Plato, G M. A. Grube, and John M. Cooper. The Trial and Death of Socrates: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Death Scene from Phaedo. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Pub, 2000. Print. Plato.G. The Apology of Socrates: The Crito and Part of the Phædo. London: Taylor Walton and Maberly, 1852. Print. Taylor, A. E. "Socrates and the Myths." The Classical Quarterly 27.3-4 (1933): 158-161. Read More