Socrates believes that we should not care for the opinion of the masses. The gymnastics student who according to Socrates should “live and train, eat and drink in the way which seems good to his single teacher who has understanding, rather than according to the opinion of all other men put together,” should in fact take knowledge learned from his trainer, most importantly observations and expereince, other trainers, his family and friends, fans if any, and mold it into personal goals and necessities. Although his trainer may have knowledge on the subject, the gymnastics student must form his own knowledge which will lead to his own personal beliefs. The same is true for a patient and his doctor. A doctor may prescribe necessary medicines that are accompanied by consequences (side-affects). The patient reaches his decision as to take the medication or not by analyzing all aspects. A psychiatrist’s patient will take medication because it is prescribed rather than seeking other solutions and can end up being harmed in the long run. Therefore, a man does not have to follow the regards of neither one man or a group of men but can chose to do so. He must analyze the opinions of all, his own experience along with every aspect of a subject before he can conclude what is best. A man must use the same techniques to decide between just and unjust. He must not follow a single or group of other men but analyze and decide through his own experience which, if any, is correct in his beliefs. If Socrates knew he was not an atheist and has not corrupted youth he should’ve known his death sentence was unjust.
Word Count: 281
