2007-09-27 20:48:48 · 5 answers · asked by Greg P 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Because in that way he would betray his whole life. His life was paradigmatic for his philosophy - which means that he lived his philosophy - an uncompromising life in search for virtue.
His ethics wouldn't let him to recede, and Athens couldn't tolerate that. It's not the only example of collision between politics of society and individual ethics. Since he knows that doesn't know anything, how can he know that death is something bad? Note that his death have many implications on his importance in general. He died for his beliefs, and that is why he is often compared to Jesus. As Jaspers said, both their lives and deaths are very important, especially their deaths, with it's meanings and consequences.
By knowing his philosophy we might say that he just couldn't do it in any other way.
2007-09-28 00:13:00 · answer #1 · answered by Jelena L. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was on principle. He believed he was right and that he had done nothing wrong. Moreover, he considered himself a 'horsefly' to sting the conscience of the people and make them think in a new way - it was his job to irritate them. One final thing: he really believed in democracy and Athens, so he allowed the courts to decide his fate. When they chose his death, they passed sentence on their own weakness and corruption. Socrates knew that history would see them as guilty and himself as innocent. He was right.
2007-09-28 03:57:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Also, he was an old man. What kind of life could he expect if he left, an old man who abandoned his principles?
2007-09-28 12:52:04 · answer #3 · answered by Fred 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To protect pride of his life
2007-09-28 04:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by MEHTAP K 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he was told he couldnt take his bong or his bag of weed with him so decided to stay, if he was gonna die, he was gonna die high,,,,,,,,,,
2007-09-28 04:16:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋