Socrates and Sarcasm

Post #1

What was the purpose of Socrates' proposal to the jury for his penalty in the 399 B.C.E. trail?

"And so the prosecution proposes death as the penalty.  And what shall I propose on my part... Clearly that which is my due.  And what is my due? I who neglected my own affairs in order to persuade every man among you that he must seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private interests.  What should be done to such a one? Surely some good thing... a reward which he deserves far more than the citizen who won the prize at Olympia in the horse or chariot race."

Socrates proposes that he should be showered with all of the benefits that one who has "won the prize at Olympia" would be gifted.  This is an obvious sarcastic gesture and one that I believe was necessary.  The courts accused Socrates of being the source of his students bad behavior.  Instead of fleeing to Athens, Socrates faced the courts.  Socrates claimed that he was being brought to trial for "trying to persuade his fellow citizens to place the care of their souls before the care of their fortunes."  Eventually, Socrates' answer led him to his death.  I believe Socrates' reaction to the courts was right, that Socrates' deserved the nothing but gifts for spreading his wisdom.  The proposal was bold and did not end in Socrates' favor, but did raise a point. Should one be punished for spreading his/her beliefs? In my opinion, No.