Socrates explains that his life's mission began when the Oracle at Delphi stated no one was wiser than he. To test this, he questioned "wise" men (politicians, poets, craftsmen) and realized: They thought they knew things they did not. Socrates was wiser only because he . 2. The "Gadfly" of Athens
Despite his eloquent defense, the jury of 501 Athenians found him guilty by a narrow margin. The ApologyHD
: Encouraging young men to question authority and tradition. Socrates explains that his life's mission began when
: Look for "The Trial of Socrates" documentaries or theatrical performances on educational platforms like YouTube or Kanopy. : Look for "The Trial of Socrates" documentaries
: Find deep dives and summaries at SparkNotes or Britannica .
Socrates describes himself as a (a stinging fly) on the "noble but sluggish" horse of the state. He believed his role was to sting Athens into wakefulness, forcing citizens to think about virtue rather than wealth or reputation. 3. "The Unexamined Life"