socrates and athenian democrac

With Socrates came a revolution in all manners of thought. As, perhaps, the most influential of philosophers, and also one of the best known, it is truly unfortunate he left the future so little of his theories. Only through the writings of his students have we any idea of his philosophy. In the writing of Plato much thought is given to the concept of Socrates' opinion of Athenian democracy. By examining Athenian democracy I will …

…never a criminal matter nor a strain on democracy, but a challenge to an oppressive and oligarchical ruling class. Socrates became an symbol of true wisdom and knowledge, a symbol that needed to be disposed of for the elites to remain the power-holders in society. This was the essence of Socrates' critique of Athenian democracy, that the wealthy who did not posses wisdom were incapable of ruling the city. His death being the perfect example.