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The trial and death of Socrates

gods. Thus, divinities are associated with gods. This means that the existence of divinities relies upon the existence of gods. When examining the original statement we see that saying Socrates believes in divinities while not believing in gods is a contradictory statement. Socrates points out this contradiction to the jurors. Since the charges Socrates is faced with are built on a contradiction, he tells his jurors that he has defended himself well enough to be acquitted of his charges and that if he is found guilty, it is because of the ill will of the Athenian people that he has gained over the years.

Regardless of how good Socrates's defense may have seemed, he was approximately thirty votes short of being acquitted of his charges. Since this trial took place during the religious festival of Delia, the execution of Socrates was forbidden to occur until after the festivities had ended. During this time, which is said to be about a month, Socrates philosophized with his friends while in his prison cell. A friend by the name of Crito attempts to persuade Socrates to break out of prison and run from his execution. Instead of being persuaded by the preservation of his life, Socrates calmly reasons that he has a civic duty to do whatever the city asks of him. Athens has raised him and has treated him fairly throughout his long life of 70 years. To go against the city because they have ordered his death would be to treat the city unfairly for all the kindness it has shown him throughout the years. Crito accepts Socrates's reasoning for not breaking a out of prison and stays with him long enough to witness Socrates drink the poisonous potion that ended his life.

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