that he was a physicalist, and that he was a sophist. While these charges may seem strong, and although there was a strong basis on which they were presented, Socrates was not criminally guilty of any of the charges. If in fact one must find a charge to convict him on in order to feel that a purpose was reached and justice served at the trial, then one could look to the fact that Socrates was in the habit of making the better argument seem the worst. In another setting, one could find this humorous, but when someone's life is at stake, the rationality of this must be examined. Say for instance that this charge is not denied. Socrates could rise up before the gods and everyone else to confess that yes, most definitely, he is without a doubt in the habit of making the stronger argument seem worse. Where is the crime in this? Were the people of Athens so unstable in their beliefs that because someone offered another idea, this person must be persecuted for offering another opinion? Even in the ancient society of Athens, never was it considered criminal for one to have their own ideas and beliefs and he only discussed his ideas with those who were willing to talk with him. Many philosophers before Socrates had done this very thing, as did many during his time, yet they were not punished. If one must conclude a guilty verdict out of one of these charges, then by all means find it in that he was in the habit of making the stronger argument seem worse, however this is hardly a reason to impose the irrational penalty of a death sentence. In the "Apology," Socrates uses several arguments to respond to the charges brought against him. One of the best arguments he uses in his defense is in response that he is corrupting the youth. In reply to this charge, Socrates simply asks the question of why any sane person would voluntarily corrupt the youth when they would undoubtedly surround that individual. This argument is val...