Editing Trial of Socrates (section)

=== Support of oligarchic rule and contempt for Athenian democracy ===

According to the portraits left by some of Socrates's followers, Socrates himself seems to have openly espoused certain anti-democratic views, the most prominent perhaps being the view that it is not majority opinion that yields correct policy but rather genuine knowledge and professional competence, which is [[Technocracy|possessed by only a few]].<ref>Xenophon, ''Memorabilia'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0208&layout=&loc=1.2.1 1.2.9]; Plato, ''Crito'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0170&layout=&loc=Crito+47c 47c–d], ''Laches'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0176&layout=&loc=Lach.+184e 184e].</ref>  Plato also portrays him as being severely critical of some of the most prominent and well-respected leaders of the [[Athenian democracy]];<ref>'' Gorgias'' 503c–d, 515d–517c.</ref> and even has his claim that the officials selected by the Athenian system of governance cannot credibly be regarded as benefactors since it is not any group of ''many'' that benefits, but only "someone or very few persons".<ref>'' Apology of Socrates'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0170&layout=&loc=Apol.+25a 25a-b].</ref>  Finally, Socrates was known as often praising the laws of the undemocratic regimes of [[Sparta]] and [[Crete]].<ref>Plato, ''Crito'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0170&layout=&loc=Crito+52e 52e].</ref> Plato himself reinforced anti-democratic ideas in ''[[Republic (Plato)|The Republic]]'', advocating rule by elite, enlightened "Philosopher-Kings".

The totalitarian Thirty Tyrants had anointed themselves as the elite, and in the minds of his Athenian accusers, Socrates was guilty because he was suspected of introducing oligarchic ideas to them. [[Larry Gonick]], in his "[[Cartoon History of the Universe]]"<ref>Gonick, Larry. "Cartoon History of the Universe Vol 1–7". Volume 7 – All about Athens. Doubleday Books, 1990. {{ISBN|0385-26520-4}}.</ref> wrote: 
{{blockquote|The trial of Socrates has always seemed mysterious{{nbsp}}... the charges sound vague and unreal{{nbsp}}... because behind the stated charges was Socrates's real crime: preaching a philosophy that produced Alcibiades and Critias{{nbsp}}... but of course he couldn't be prosecuted for that under the amnesty [which had been declared after the overthrow of the Thirty Tyrants]<!--Presuming this isn't part of the quote. It might be better to put it in a note if so-->{{nbsp}}... so his accusers made it "not believing the Gods of the city, introducing new gods, and corrupting the youth".}}

Apart from his views on politics, Socrates held unusual views on religion. He made several references to his spirit, or ''[[Daemon (classical mythology)|daimonion]]'', although he explicitly claimed that it never urged him on, but only warned him against various prospective actions.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/socrates| title = ''Socrates Legacy''| date = June 13, 2023}}</ref>