A question for all you Anime fans

[Radical_Dreamer]

Oh, I do not believe that Socrates was an atheist. One of my favorite parts of The Apology (Plato's version, I've only touched on Xenophon's version) was when Socrates showed Meletus to be a liar on this count. Certainly, as "the gadfly of Athens" Socrates made many powerful enemies, and his arrogance at his trial does not discredit Xenophon's assertion that he was prepared for death, nor does The Crito. My question wasn't so much about the validity of the charges or trial of Socrates, but rather, how the charges laid against him could be considered crimes in a secular society. If they looked at such things critically, there would be no need to cast out foreign gods arbitrarily. That is more what I do not understand.

Ah, well then, you see you have proven you know a bit more about the trial itself than do I. I know its content, but I have yet to read the Apology and the like (there's lots to read in Classical works, and one just can't get to them all.) As such, you could probably theorize on this better than me. But in the end, you see, it they were religious, but their day-to-day activities were not shaped by religion, nor did they live in fear of priests. However, it could be used as a recourse, and people would take it seriously. This is most especially true in times of panic - the trial was right after the time of the Tyrants set up by Sparta, so naturally the people were a bit jumpy. Socrates' enemies used this against him. Like I said, however, it is rather difficult to describe what kind of society they were. They weren't secular per-say. What they did do is question - and this extended to the gods. They could also make fun of the gods. And yet, when they won at Salamis, it was sure proof to them that the gods side with the just and the free. Alcibiades, that rising star of Athens, jumps ship to Sparta because he is about to be condemned for sacrelidge (complicity in the 'defacing' of Herms, though if you know what Herms are you'll understand that de-'face' isn't exactly the right word...) And when Socrates is condemned, they accuse him of introducing foreign gods (they may well be thinking 'Persian' type customs, which was always a heinous charge in Athens.) What I do know for certainty is that, in the plays, the focus is on humans and the way they act, and the morals are not there for the empowerment of a priest-class, inspiring the fear of god. If so, they would not have had the Comedy they did.

Anyway, I'll read the Apology and the like and get back to you.

Ah. Very intersesting. Allow me to aid you:
http://www.online-literature.com/plato/

I've read the Apology and the Crito. Crito comes after Apology. Phaedo is next, but I haven't read that one yet.

[Daniel Krispin]

I'll certainly read it as soon as I have a chance. My education would be severely lacking otherwise.

[Radical_Dreamer]

I'll certainly read it as soon as I have a chance. My education would be severely lacking otherwise.

They are incredible works. The Apology and Crito are works I will probably revist, because they stand on their own. I recently reread Apology after discovering the site I linked, but I had originally read it in a philosophy class nine years ago. Hopefully, another nine years will not pass before I read it again. You will be doing yourself a great service reading these works.

[Daniel Krispin]

I'll certainly read it as soon as I have a chance. My education would be severely lacking otherwise.

They are incredible works. The Apology and Crito are works I will probably revist, because they stand on their own. I recently reread Apology after discovering the site I linked, but I had originally read it in a philosophy class nine years ago. Hopefully, another nine years will not pass before I read it again. You will be doing yourself a great service reading these works.

Well, more than just a service of interest. I'm planning to be a Classicist (if I can manage, I'll go all the way to PhD level); as such, I would be a sluggard in my field if I didn't read them. One of these days I'll also read them in Greek, once I know enough to be able to do such a thing.