Hi...

I am very much interested in Socrates and have some questions about him. I just want to know different opinions about these topic not answers from the books.

1)What was "this" philosophy for which he chose to die rather than to renounce it?

2) Why was he defending Aristocracy against the Athenian Democracy? Or was he not doing something like this?

At his trial, after being found guilty, Socrates was asked what his punishment should be...that was the custom back then to ask the convicted criminal what his sentence should be. Socrates thought that he had enlightened Athens by questioning everything about life and making Athens a step closer to becoming a city where 'knowledge, virtue, and wisdom' reigned over ignorance and evil.

So Socrates thought his contribution towards Athen's society was on the same level of Olypmic athletes. Athletes were treated like kings in Athens at the time. Basically, Socrates thought he should get free food and good treatment for the rest of his life....as his punishment. The jury thought that was pretty arogant, so they sentenced Socrates to death.

To directly answer your question, Socrates didn't renouce his thoughts that he was as important to Athens as Olypmic athletes, and he believed that following the law, no matter how unfair it may seem to an individual, was very, very important for a 'good' society. So Socrates took his death sentence over saving himself for his own selfish reasons.

I don't think Socrates' death was like back in the Medival times, where scientists who didn't renounce a scientific belief, contradicting the Church, were killed. Socrates upheld his belief that individuals in a society should always follow the law, and since the law was saying he should die, he followed it.

I hope other people can explain it better.

For you second question, I think Plato's idea that Aristrocracy was the best form of government was said through Socrates' character. I was always told Socrates and Plato are indistinguishable since Socrates never wrote anything down, and Plato was so close to Socrates, that his writing borrowed Socrates' ideas. You might need to look into Plato's philosophies for your answer

But I know that Plato was "disgusted" with Athenian democracy when he saw Socrates found guilty and sentenced to death. Plato thought that no 'good' government could kill such a great man as Socrates. You might say there was a personal bias when Plato listed democracy as the 2nd worst type of government.

Sorry, but I can't tell ya why Plato thought aristocracy was the best form of government. Maybe it had to do with his whole Republic theory, and the philosopher-king should rule over the ignorant people.

*sigh* :(
Thanks for your reply. I thought and hoped that more people would reply