Death of a Wise Man

Does a true wise man fear death? In Plato’s Apology, Socrates argues his answer with Meletus and the rest of those judging him. Meletus accuses Socrates of corrupting the young people and also accuses him of being a complete atheist(27). Socrates attempts to defend himself by pointing out the multiple contradictions of Meletus. One of these contradictions includes the accusation that Socrates is corrupting and deteriorating the youth intentionally. Socrates responds with the statement, “But you have just admitted that the good do their neighbors good, and the evil do them evil. Now, is that a truth which your superior wisdom has recognized thus early in life, and am I, at my age, in such darkness and ignorance as not to know that if a man with whom I have to live is corrupted by me, I am very likely to be harmed by him, and yet I corrupt him, and intentionally, too?--”(27). Socrates is saying that nobody likes to be injured. Therefore, why would Socrates intentionally corrupt someone if he will just be punished or injured? In the second accusation, Meletus claims the Socrates is an atheist. However, Socrates states that his beliefs come from the books of Anaxagoras and the Clazomenian, which are basically guidelines for the youth that he supposedly has “corrupted.”(28). In summary, Socrates could not be a complete atheist because he refers to teachings that are also used for the youth.

In the end, however, Socrates arguments are not enough to win his trial. He is sentenced to death for his offences, resulting in the discussion of death. Throughout the whole dialogue. Socrates claims that he is the wisest of all men. He expresses his belief of not fearing death because it makes him wise. He states, “For this fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being the appearance of knowing the unknown; since no one knows whether death, which they in their fear apprehend to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good.”(30). Socrates constantly tries to prove his wisdom, and in the end has to do so by being put to death. He explains that death is not a bad thing, but it is something one should look forward to. After this life, one has the opportunity to meet and converse with Palamedes, and Ajax the son of Telamon, and other heroes of old, who have suffered death through an unjust judgement(40). This is not Socrates only conclusion of death. His main focus is that he is being put to death for the wrong reasons. He says that the people who put him to trial will regret this decision because they will be stripped of Socrates’ wisdom. God put Socrates here to show his wisdom and help others. However, putting him to death will be like punishing themselves. In his final moments of life, Socrates makes a defining statement, “---that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.”(41). Socrates was here to educate people and enlighten them. He was not here to corrupt those all around him and cause chaos. Being completely wise, Socrates did not fear the unwelcomed death but knew he had to accept it. He understood that God’s actual plan would follow through to after his death.