Socrates lived in Athens, the city known for it's democratic methods and ways. Soon after Athens "fall", Socrates is charged with blasphemy and corrupting the youth. Why is it that in a place where democracy is rooted from and exists in, that a teacher is charged for expressing his thoughts and ideas to others? However instead of freedom of expression, what Socrates has done, is labelled as crimes such as blasphemy and corrupting the youth. The Athenians were wrong for charging Socrates with both crimes of corrupting the youth, and blasphemy and executing him for them. Through his conviction we can also see the flaws of the democracy of Athens and how democracy has failed Socrates. The Trial of Socrates also helps in the further understanding of why Socrates did not believe in the democratic system of government.
Socrates was charged with blasphemy for worshipping strange gods. Blasphemy is " in religion, words or actions that display irreverence toward or contempt for God or that which is held sacred. Blasphemy is regarded as an offence against the community to varying degrees, depending on the extent of the identification of a religion with the society at large or the government." (All refer reference) Socrates went against the accepted ideas of religion and therefore was perceived as a threat to society. He rejected several Athenian gods including Hephaetus and questioned their existence. Although Athenians viewed him as a threat, Socrates" purpose was not to harm but bring about truth to Athens and for this I think it was wrong to punish him. Just because Athenians were not used to hearing people speak out against the norms as Socrates did, does not mean he should be sentenced to death. .
Socrates merely conversed with the youth. It is up to them to accept the ideas of Socrates and therefore he should not be punished for them. He was thought to have encouraged youthful followers to be anti-democratic and "indoctrinated them with his own contempt for democracy".
