Trial
of Socrates
Socrates is on trial to determine if he is an
enemy of the state. The Prosecution will insist that he is, and the
defense will insist that Socrates's unorthodox questions are for the good of
both humanity and the state.
Prosecution:
1. Aristophanes-- Socrates is a distraction from
important things: he speculates about meaningless things, and simply teaches
young men to win arguments. Sources: the Apology
and The
Clouds
2. Meletus
-- Socrates is contemptuous of the gods and corrupts the morals of young
Athenians. Sources: the Apology
and Martin's discussion of Critias and Alcibiades.
Defense:
3. Plato-- Socrates is open and honest, and
seeks the highest good. Sources: the Apology
and Crito
4. Socrates: I am trying to
improve Athens. Sources: the Apology
and Crito
Guide
to writing your brief:
In the trials, each of the four
speakers can take up to 10 minutes. The main speech should be about 4-6
minutes (roughly 2 pages), the rest of the time is for
cross examination. Before each speech (except the first), the speaker will have
the opportunity to cross-examine the speakers on the other side. The idea
of cross-examination is to clarify points or to expose faulty logic on the
other side which one can exploit in one's own remarks. After this first
round of speeches and cross-examination, each speaker will have a second
opportunity to deliver a short summary speech highlighting the key points the
jury should consider. The first speaker will question the last speaker before
beginning the final round of closing remarks.
Each
trial brief shall be about four typed pages. The brief is your
preparation for the trial. About half of the brief should be a prepared speech which expresses the core of what you will
argue. You will want to work out carefully what your position is, what
evidence you can bring to bear, and how you will convince the jury you are
right. [The jury will also act as people from the past, and you
should argue as though you are in the historical time period concerned.
In other words, you may not make an appeal to more recent events.]
The
rest of the brief may take any form that you find most helpful, but must
include questions for the other side and closing
summary. It is also a good idea to outline or list key responses you might make
to anticipated criticism or arguments from the other side. In short, you
may include whatever paragraphs or notes you deem useful
. All debaters should have prepared remarks, but they also need to
be flexible, and to respond directly to the arguments of the other side.
The trial briefs will be graded according to insight, clarity and comprehensiveness. A student who can express an historical point of view convincingly--and demonstrates an understanding of the issues, ideas and implications involved in that point of view--will have earned an "A."