15 February 17

This is a Dark Day In Philosophy. According to many traditional sources, Socrates was sentenced to death on this date in 399 BCE. His crimes were listed as “refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state,” “introducing new deities” and “corrupting the youth.” In modern terms, his treason was basically in unrelenting challenges to authority and traditional religion. In the photo I am holding a small alabaster bust of Socrates which my good friend Harry Smiley (1933-2011) brought to me from a trip to Greece.