Plato–and Greek figures in general–make frequent appearances in the culture wars as champions of the ‘truth and beauty’ of the ‘western intellectual tradition’. But the Socrates of Plato’s Apology is an essentially political figure.
In the historical tradition, Socrates was brought to trial for corrupting the youth by introducing new religious practices into the state and teaching them “how to make the weak argument stronger”. In a radical democracy like ancient Athens, there was nothing more political than the public worship of the gods and training in the rhetorical skills necessary to participate in shared governance and understand the power of language wielded by others.
neoskosmos.com
In the historical tradition, Socrates was brought to trial for corrupting the youth by introducing new religious practices into the state and teaching them “how to make the weak argument stronger”. In a radical democracy like ancient Athens, there was nothing more political than the public worship of the gods and training in the rhetorical skills necessary to participate in shared governance and understand the power of language wielded by others.
Universities should embrace Socrates more, but not for the reasons you think - Neos Kosmos
While critics call for a depoliticisation of universities, Socrates himself reminds us that the pursuit of truth and questioning authority are inherently political acts
neoskosmos.com