Webster defines wise as: (1) having or showing good judgment; (2) informed; (3) learned; (4) shrewd or cunning. In my opinion, Socrates was wise in all aspects of the word. If I were placed in his position and were to make the same decisions, I would not consider myself wise. I would consider myself to be a great fool, but given the circumstances and the parties involved I believe that Socrates made proper decisions in his defense.Socrates knew that the jury was prejudiced against him from the start and addressed it immediately. In his opening statement, of the prosecutors he stated, “but of their many falsehoods, the one which astonished me most was when they said that I was a clever speaker, and that you must be careful not to let me mislead you.”(15) That is an effective statement to taint a rebuttal before it can be presented. Also, Socrates addressed the fact that he has been accused of this treachery for years. These accusations are more formidable because they were first introduced to the jury when they were young and impressionable, but more importantly because Socrates has been unable to defend himself. He could not defend his position because the accusations have been informal and the accusers remain anonymous. “He investigates things in the air and under the earth, and that he teaches people to disbelieve in the gods, and to make the weaker argument appear stronger.”(19) These are the stock accusations given to all philosophers. Socrates was no fool and knew that he would not be able to change these ingrained beliefs in a few hours, but was able to provide some justification as to why he had lived his life in search of wisdom.Chaerephon, a life-long friend of Socrates, asked the oracle at Delphi “if there was any man who was wiser than [Socrates]” and there was no one. (17) Socrates did not understand how this could be true. He did not feel that he was even slightly wise let ...
