The trial of Socrates was a fascinating event in history. He is one of the world's most famous philosophers for a reason—Socrates prioritized critical thinking and was a truth seeker above all else. He taught by forcing his students to think. Hence the name "Socratic Method," in which the teacher gives no answers bur prompts students by asking questions. It should be no surprise that many of his teachings challenged the status quo in ancient Athens, Greece. That, essentially, was the reason for bringing him to trial.

Socrates was charged on two counts: impiety (or scorning the gods) and, more seriously, corruption of youth (through teaching students and asking his questions). The great teacher was not one to travel with the crowd, and in the end that same crowd became the jury who tried him and eventually sentenced him to death.

Now the question is, do you agree with Socrates that those jurors—men of the upper levels of Athenian society—value wealth, honor, and comfort more than truth or the good of their souls? I think the answer must be yes. The sad fact that most people, regardless of their place or time in history, prefer not to be challenged. If they have all the benefits of society already, in the form of money and influence, then they have no reason to fight for truth or question the rightness of their situation. Socrates forced people to think, to question the state of affairs, and perhaps to change it. That is the real reason the jury condemned him.