Socrates - Beliefs and Integrity

I personally find Socrates both confusing and fascinating. He saw many flaws in the Athenian government. When a jury sentenced him to death because of his preaching, he questioned the foolishness of why he was convicted. When his close friend Crito offered him a chance to escape his imprisonment, he refused because it went against his principles.

Socrates noticed many major problems within the Athenian government. He saw that many of the officials in Athens cared more for themselves than the people they governed. He not only found this information, but he also found that much of the Athenians were hypocrites themselves. To prove it he would use simple questions about their principles and beliefs. Their confusion and lack of confidence in their beliefs left them looking ignorant and foolish.

Like Socrates, I enjoy challenging people’s beliefs. Sometimes I question people about religion. I ask what they believe and why. Often the answer to the second question is “because.” They can never come up with hard evidence. The Bible is simply a book. When you take it down from the pedestal and stop worshipping it, it is no more reliable than Wikipedia. But because of what people have been taught, they ignore reason, put the Bible back on the pedestal and say it is all true. They believe in it because they just need something to believe in.

Socrates was sentenced to death because of his method of challenging people. His challenging of the existence of the gods left people furious. He believed he was better off helping people rather than worrying about making his own life glamorous.

I believe Socrates lived an excellent life. Because he put so much effort into trying to help others, he was able to build a successful life for himself. Even though their legal system condemned him to death, Socrates made enough of an impression that his teachings are still used over 2400 years after his death.

While imprisoned, Socrates was offered a chance to escape by his close friend, Crito. Crito’s offer contradicted Socrates’ beliefs so he refused. He chose to die staying true to his beliefs rather than live as a hypocrite.

I highly respect Socrates for staying true to his beliefs. Many men would beg for forgiveness, but he merely accepted his punishment. Being able to die for his beliefs helped reinforce their power. If Socrates had chosen to flee his followers may have lost confidence in him and his beliefs and relinquished them. I believe Socrates made the best decision.