An Anarchist and a Philosopher Visit in a Prison Cell…
Socrates is leisurely writing in a notebook. He has been in the Athenian prison for three weeks. His cell sits on the top floor of the prison, and his view consists of the bright blue sea. The sky is welcoming and clear. Suddenly, Emma Goldman slyly walks into the prison. She approaches Socrates’ cell and seems slightly disturbed, almost disappointed. She takes a nearby chair and sits outside his cell.
GOLDMAN: Ahhh, Socrates, I have been waiting a long time for this moment. I knew this day would eventually come.
SOCRATES: Goldman…why are you here? I have not seen you in years.
GOLDMAN: Well, I was on an anarchist protest and I thought I should stop and see you here in Athens. I have been following your trial since day one and I have heard about your recent sentence.
SOCRATES: But Athens is quite far from where you reside. Are you here to taunt me?
GOLDMAN: No, I am not here to taunt you per se. I know our last meeting did not end well, so I was apprehensive, but I feel we need to discuss some ideas. I know our values, philosophies, and mostly everything we stand for are in opposition with each other, but no time is better than this present moment to talk. The Athenian government has subdued your individualism. Life is about self-empowerment. Realistically, you are behind bars, as I have been many times for my anarchist protests, but here you are accepting your sentence. I hear you have also accepted your death sentence?
SOCRATES: Yes, Emma, I have indeed accepted my death sentence. I am obligated to die
according to the laws of Athens.
GOLDMAN: Socrates, I know you and I have debated about ethics before, but why do you feel as though you should die? They say you corrupted the young and you do not believe in the gods. So what? You are an innocent man; this situation is ludicrous. You can still escape or maybe you can even fight back! You are sacrificing your freedom for some idiotic government!
SOCRATES: I believe I have an obligation to die; I have lived in Athens for seventy years. I am an old man now, my time has come. I have consented to the laws here, and thus I must accept my punishment and therefore I must accept my upcoming death.
GOLDMAN: Socrates, please see it from my point of view. Yes, you have lived here for many years. However, you have not wronged laws of Athens; the government in Athens has wronged you. From my eyes, these laws of Athens are artificial. You should make decisions for yourself without government intervention. The government is only suitable to protect property and monopoly, and the rest of the Athenian government’s role is entirely superfluous. I do not think you should have to abide by anything that subordinates yourself from your individual views and ideals. You have no obligation to die!
SOCRATES: This is where I must disagree with you. How has the government wronged me? I have indeed wronged the government.
GOLDMAN: No, Socrates, the government has wronged you with its pure existence!
SOCRATES: I was put on trial, charged, and then sentenced. Whether or not I am an innocent man, part of living in Athens means I have consented to the laws here. I must accept this outcome and thus I must die.
GOLDMAN: By currently accepting your prison sentence, you are being deprived of all your
liberties. The entire judicial system of prison and punishment is an abomination to human nature. Human beings deserve liberty and deserve to make their own decisions outside of what some government tells you to do! Even though you have lived in Athens for so long, I am here to tell you citizens are never obligated to die in accordance to the laws of their country. The laws should not exist in the first place. Socrates, it is not too late for you; you can still escape! Fight back! THINK FOR YOURSELF!
At this time, chanting is quickly growing louder right outside the prison.
SOCRATES: Emma, do you hear this? What is all the commotion outside?
Socrates seems confused and looks outside his window. He sees hundreds of men and women surrounding the prison with signs and repetitively chanting “THINK FOR YOURSELF! INDIVIDUALISM IS THE ULITMATE FREEDOM!”
SOCRATES: Goldman, I am guessing you are behind this ludicrous protest. This is completely unnecessary. As I have said, I am now an old man. Nothing can persuade me in my old age. Your protests serve no purpose here.
The chanting continues.
GOLDMAN: Do you have any self-dignity or self-worth? The laws you are following in which you feel you are obligated to die are a form of tyranny. The only thing the Athenian government has done for you is subordinate your individualism. You are putting the government before yourself; that is one of the most evil things a human being can do to himself.
SOCRATES: Goldman, we will never agree on this matter. I accept my punishment because it my vital obligation. I must set an example for all of Athens, since I am the wisest in this area. I need my fellow citizens to know a citizen must always consent and thus must always follow the laws set in place to protect him.
GOLDMAN: However much you may disagree with me you must listen to my opinion. I might be able to save your life. Besides, you are trapped behind bars and do not have any choice but to listen. Look at all of these people outside protesting, all in your honor. You have the opportunity to change your life right now. I urge you to do away with your thoughts of government obligation. Join me in the world of anarchy! We could use a wise man such as you. Ignore the Athenian government. Embrace your individualism!
SOCRATES: Emma, yes, I know you say everyone should embrace his individualism. Enlighten me for a minute. If everyone in a society does this, how does anyone remain an individual? At some point, many would have similar ideas and values. Therefore, I disagree with your whole philosophy on this matter. The government, the Athenian government in particular, unites all of Athens. We are united in the fact that we all consent to the laws of Athens, and thus this is why I am indeed obligated to die. How do you not see this concept of unity?
GOLDMAN: In anarchism, I can only fathom the concept of unity when it has to do with the grouping of individuals together in order to gain real social wealth. Then, they must share all of the fruits the earth has to bear and all of those things that are necessary to live. Besides this concept, individuals in a society will always remain individuals and think for themselves if they believe in self-empowerment and continue to reject subordinate ideas. Government and religion, for example, will always put citizens second. The world can only continue to exist if each individual thinks and acts for himself.
SOCRATES: I am truly sorry, Emma, but I must do what is right. You will never persuade me. I must die.
Guards now quickly rush in. They take Goldman by the arms and escort her out of the prison, where she continues to protest. Goldman and her fellow anarchists camp outside the prison and constantly protest right up until Socrates’ execution. It is rumored the last words to ring through Socrates’ ears came from a familiar voice….
GOLDMAN: INDIVIDUALISM IS THE ONLY WAY! FREEDOM IS THE ULIMATE POWER!
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