While many people today take freedom of speech for granted, many people throughout history didn’t even know what this freedom was. In the past, few sought to tell their opinions and speak their minds in opposition to authorities. The few who did rise and say what they had to say would have had to be very brave characters.
In 339 BC, Socrates, considered today one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived, was put to trial by the Athenians for his social and moral criticism of the city. He was sentenced to death. Before his death, he challenged the government in a great speech, claiming that he was right and they were wrong. He never backed down, accusing his prosecutors and pointing out their faults. Socrates considered himself a teacher of morals to the people and spoke his mind even though he knew his words might lead to his death.
Socrates compared himself to a fly bothering a horse, the horse being the state. He was constantly criticizing, judging and urging the state to take moral and correct actions.
During his trial, Socrates said: “Men of Athens, I am grateful and I am your friend, but I will obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I shall not cease to practice philosophy, to exhort you…” (Plato, Apology. 30E). Though he knew this would anger the people, he told them he would keep criticizing them and teaching them as long as he could; he would continue being the fly bothering the horse. Socrates’ words and actions, which angered and contradicted the state, eventually cost him his life.
Americans today, as possessors of the great liberty of free speech, the freedom to say whatever they want whenever they want, should remember Socrates and his persistency. Socrates stood up to authorities in a time when speech was not a freedom.
-Naama Levy
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