Download Contrast between the Death of Socrates and the Death of Jesus, PHIL 2073 and more Assignments Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity! Contrast between the Death of Socrates and the Death of Jesus Philosophy PHIL 2073 Western University Contrast between the Death of Socrates and the Death of Jesus The lives of Socrates and Jesus have many things in common yet, they are different in various ways. Their differences come in diverse ways ranging from their trial, misdeeds through the view of the society, law, justice, punishment and to their death. In addition, their differences spread through their influence in today’s society and the impact they have through time. This paper seeks to analyze the contrast between the death of Socrates and the death of Jesus Christ (Jesus) and the circumstances that surround their deaths. Both Socrates and Jesus have different religious beliefs. While, Socrates is polytheistic, believing in several gods. Jesus, in the other hand is monotheism, believing in only one God. With these beliefs withholding, both are charged, tried, and executed for their radical actions in the society. The jurors find Socrates guilty and condemn him to death, by drinking hemlock (Plato et al., n.d). As Socrates learns about the jurors’ decision, he is not upset, and sees it as a sign from god that it is his destiny. “The god’s sign didn’t oppose me when I left home this morning, or when I was about to say something, even though in other discussions it has often stopped me in the middle of what I was saying.” (Reeve, 1989, pp. 668) As before, Socrates would hear a voice that would tell him when he should be quiet, and not speak to avoid problems. Only that day he fails to hear the voice therefore, he sees it as destiny from the gods. Unlike Socrates, Jesus does not defend himself during his trial. He does not argue with the governor nor does he have a jury, at least a fair one. He faces a forceful arrest and beatings from the Jews. “They spat him in his face and struck him with their fist and beat him up.” (“Bible gateway passage: Matthew 26 – King James Version,” n.d, pp 898) Jesus does not retaliate back for his persecutions but mentions to the high priests of their wrongdoing by arresting him as if he were a highwayman. Furthermore, Jesus’ death occurs with accusations hatred, blasphemy, and rejection by the people of Jerusalem. Socrates on the other hand, dies with execution because of a conflict rising from his pursuit to improve the Athenian sense of justice and goodness. He faces accusation of corrupting the minds of the youth and introducing new gods in Athens (Reeve, 1989). Whereas Socrates goes to his death peacefully, reminding his followers that death is a friend as he acts on the order to drink a mixture containing poison hemlock (Plato et al., n.d); Jesus goes to his death in agony, recognizing that death is not the way it is supposed to be on his crucifixion. Besides Jesus seeing his body as a prison to escape from, it is through Jesus’ body that redemption comes. In addition, while Socrates points to another higher, immaterial realm as he drinks the cup that leads to his death; Jesus takes the cup and the bread and points to himself in the presence of his disciples saying, “This is my body, broken for your body. This is my blood, shed for your life” (“Bible gateway passage: Matthew 26 – King James Version,” n.d) In conclusion, it is clear that the life, teachings, and death of both Socrates and Jesus are so related and different in their own unique ways. The existing similarities show some weakness of the human race as they persecute people with public interest at heart instead of supporting them. The death of Socrates is a feeling of liberation to the Athenians while that of Jesus reflects salvation to the human race from the
