lato, 19c). The poets helpedto shape Greek culture. Poetry was passed on andperpetuated the city where thought constantly changed.Philosphy begins in debunking what the city thinks theyknow in order to refute the god. It is evident that Socrates isnot guided by the gods of the city. Socrates says "it is notpart of the same man to believe in daimonian and divinethings" (Plato, 27e). Socrates is subtly admitting his guilt.Perhaps Socrates believs in gods, but if so, they are not thegods of the city. Socrates simply denies that he has had anypart in celestial or subterranean inquiry - he simply speaks"elsewhere". Socrates goes on to say that those who do arereported to be atheists. However, Socrates says that "Zeusdoes not eveeen exist" (Aristophanes, 367). Socratesreplaces Zeus with nature, the permanent and necessarythings accessable to reason. This is an outrage to anyAthenian. To deny the gods is to deny faith and ultimately theauthoritarian opinions on which their politics is based. Whydoes Socrates think that he is being unjustly punished?Chaerophon had told Socrates that the Pythian Oracle hadsaid that Socrates was the wisest man. Socrates admits that"I am conscious that I am not wise, either much or little"(Plato, 20b). Socrates wonders what the riddle is and setsout to "refute the divination" (Plato, 20c). This is a primeexample of Socrates' impiousness as is his statement in "TheClouds" where he states "we don't credit Gods"(Aristophanes, 248). He is attempting to refute the god atDelphi. Socrates tries to aid his own defense by chargingthat what he does is in devotion to the god. "Even now I stillgo around seeking and investigating in accordance with thegod" (Plato, 23b). Socrates makes this brash statement yet itis unfounded and untrue because it is not a devine order forSocrates to pursue this line of investigation. In opposition,Socrates asserts that the daimonian did not oppose him.Socrates' impiety is not the only thing tha...
