Socrates’ First Accusers and Athenian Law Of all confrontations in political philosophy, the biggest is the conflict between philosophy and politics. The problem remains making philosophy friendly to politics. The questioning of authoritative opinions is not easily accomplished nor is that realm of philosophy – the pursuit of wisdom. Socrates was the instigator of the conflict. While the political element takes place within opinions about political life, Socrates asks the question "What is the best regime …showed first 75 words of 1203 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1203 total…had built for himself throughout his life. The question he would have asked himself would have been, “What kind of example would I be setting if I dishonored my own teachings?” He saw his punishment as a contract between the government and himself, and he firmly believed that agreements should not be broken. This is the same government that allowed him to live life as he chose, so why harm an institution that benefited him?