First, judge Socrates' logic. At the end of 5th century BC, this protracted war ended in a fiasco in Athens. When the Tyrol League was dissolved, the citizens suffered heavy casualties and everything was depressed. After the war, the states imposed a series of restrictions on Athens.
As far as the polis is concerned, there were two oligarchic coups, a large number of people were killed and the political situation was turbulent. Although democracy was finally restored, it is understandable that Athenian citizens' sensitivity and tolerance for oligarchs decreased.
From a political point of view, Socrates was closely related to these oligarchs, and he showed disdain for the trial of the polis. Therefore, there are some inevitable factors in Socrates' death.
About half a century later, a complaint tells the logic of Socrates' trial and pays attention to the missionary function of the theory. Among Socrates' students and disciples, there are people with potential oligarchic tendencies. Such as Alkki, Buades and Chrittia, were also Socrates' students and friends.
Athenians, didn't you sentence Socrates to death because he was the teacher of Crete, one of the thirty tyrants who overthrew democracy?
After Chrittia interacted with Alkki, Buades and Socrates, the city gang suffered great losses.
Socrates was really dissatisfied with the democracy at that time. Like Plato, he advocated elite politics, commented on the disadvantages of Perikles's subsidy system and refused the appointment of oligarchy, which was somewhat unpleasant.
It is very foolish to elect the city-state leaders by drawing lots with beans. No one wants to hire a woman, a borrower, a flute player or anyone in any other industry by drawing lots. If you make mistakes in these things, the harm is much lighter than making mistakes in managing city-state affairs.
Secondly, the movement of the wise had an impact on traditional religious beliefs. In Socrates' era, unorthodox beliefs in thought and speech can be tolerated as long as they are not seen in action, similar to the activities of destroying statues in various names before Alkki Buades led his army to Sicily.
Although the movement of wise men in the second half of the 5th century BC did not subvert the religious system in Athens, it had some influence on traditional religious beliefs. Most people in Athens are still very conservative in religion. Religious accusations like Socrates' trial are often initiated by people of insight in the upper class, often out of personal relationships or political motives.
Socrates was accused of introducing a new god, who he claimed guided him in his actions? Psychic? . Intellectuals will not have much resistance to Socrates' introduction of new gods, but it is another concept for such an easily incited nation.
Faced with the psychological gap caused by the complete end of the Athenian Empire, the Athenians will inevitably become suspicious and sensitive politically and ideologically. The people who listen to Socrates' speeches in public are young people from the rich and leisure classes. Generally speaking, the rich are often oligarchs.
The people of Athens were worried that Socrates would not only provide a theoretical basis for the early oligarchs, but also provide a theoretical basis for those rich people who tried to overthrow the democratic system to launch a coup. There is a certain basis. His accusation and conviction are largely due to some contingency, rather than the inevitable result of the conflict between Socrates' philosophy and democratic political culture.
3. Questioning and resistance at the town meeting As early as Homer's time, the town meeting can be entered with weapons? Citizen soldier conference? Or soldiers' meeting, and it has been institutionalized. Members of the meeting expressed their positive and negative opinions by shouting loudly. Later, delacour's legislation once again confirmed that citizens can carry weapons in assembly, and it was not until Solon's legislation in 594 BC that this provision was abolished.
At this point, the citizens' assembly has truly become the assembly of all citizens. In 508 BC, Cleisthenes established a democratic system for Athens, and the citizens' assembly was given the status of the highest authority. Since then, the citizens' assembly has gradually become the most important stage for citizens to participate in discussing state affairs and folk leaders to make suggestions and fight with each other.
Athens Citizen Assembly is not only the only legislative body, but also has the function of appointing and dismissing senior public officials. Decision-making power in law enforcement, administration, military affairs, finance and religious affairs. Since the 5th century BC, citizens' congresses have often accepted cases involving important people or senior public officials and public prosecutions initiated by judicial consuls.
The trials of Mearti Sia, the commander of the Marathon Campaign, Timmy stokely, the hero of the Salami naval battle, Aristide, a famous political activist, and Pericles, the promoter of democratic politics, were all conducted by the citizens' assembly. In 406 BC, eight generals (including Pericles's son) were sentenced to death (actually, six people were executed), all of which were caused by the citizens' meeting.
If such a thing can happen to Pericles, who else will be spared?
At the citizens' meeting, because the debate in the meeting is a necessary procedure, it directly affects the passage of bills and policies, and it is also the main opportunity for citizens to show their prominent position and establish prestige in politics, so an active politician must be an eloquent speaker. At the citizens' meeting, civilian leaders put forward many unexpected ideas and suggestions for citizens to make policy choices. Ordinary citizens don't have their own opinions on many things. When they encounter remarks that don't suit their own wishes, they often vent their dissatisfaction by collective noise and shouting.
The political leaders in Athens do not have obvious leadership characteristics, and are in the initial stage of the decision-making process of the city-state. In the process of direct democracy, the collective will of citizens greatly interfered with the correct operation of the democratic system, especially in the middle and late classical era, when dealing with politicians and military strategists, their satisfaction only stayed in the past. Politicians and generals must live forever and carry out collective will that sometimes borders on madness. Such harsh demands are almost impossible, so the strength of military activities is often accompanied by accusations, exile and disposal.
The Athenians held illusions every day, thinking that they would hear the news of conquering the island of Keos and pacifying Ionia, but they did not get the desired results soon. They all feel anxious. It never occurred to them that Alkki Buades was in a state of lack of funds. Forced him to leave the camp and go outside to find money and materials to support the soldiers. What happened at this time gave his political opponents an opportunity and became the final accusation against him. This kind of regime operation mechanism without any restraint mechanism will inevitably breed people to be swayed by emotions, act rashly and shirk their responsibilities.
At this time, Yuri Torimus, the son of Patyna Knox, and some other people attracted everyone to lodge a complaint against Carrison Yunus, insisting that his proposal was unconstitutional, and his motion caused a burst of applause at the meeting. But most people keep shouting loudly that it would be ridiculous if any wishes of the people were blocked and could not be realized.
In the post-Pericles era, most of the civilian leaders were citizens of the polis or new craftsmen, but this class did not analyze the problems comprehensively enough but mastered wealth and excellent rhetorical skills to please the people. Although Athens has been committed to ensuring people's all-round democratic participation since Solon's reform, the destroyed city-state spirit has made people more sensitive to oligarchs than at any time in history and easier to be used by people with hearts. So the violent machine of direct democracy is much more terrible.
Revenge becomes more important than self-defense. It is also encouraged to take pre-emptive action against those who are ready to do evil and expose anyone who has no intention of doing evil.