Socrates is not pointing 'heavenward'. According to Plato's Apologia and Xenophon's account, Socrates accepted the ruling of the people to show respect for the law. He raises his finger to emphasize for the last time to a group of followers who still held hope of persuading him otherwise. Plato, seated at the other end, is shown in contrast to the others as having long accepted his master's decision, indicating how futile such entreaties would be against the weight of his master's principles.
Socrates is not pointing 'heavenward'. According to Plato's Apologia and Xenophon's account, Socrates accepted the ruling of the people to show respect for the law. He raises his finger to emphasize for the last time to a group of followers who still held hope of persuading him otherwise. Plato, seated at the other end, is shown in contrast to the others as having long accepted his master's decision, indicating how futile such entreaties would be against the weight of his master's principles.
mindoculus 2 years ago