One Way or Another or Something Else

In the Apology, Socrates famously argues that he ought not to be punished for allegedly corrupting the youth of Athens. Essentially, he points out that either he does not harm the young men of the city or he does so unintentionally (for to do so would be to harm himself, and no one harms himself intentionally). In either case, Socrates opines, he ought not to be punished, for if he does not harm the youth of Athens, then there are no grounds for punishment and if he does, but does so unintentionally, then his act is not a criminal offense, either.

I love this argument because it presents a simple dilemma, shows that one horn of the dilemma cannot be the case, and thus forces us to choose the other horn.

Either a) Socrates intentionally corrupts the youth of Athens (and thus should be punished) or b) he does not corrupt them or does so unintentionally (and thus should not be punished).
He does not intentionally corrupt them.
Therefore, he doesn’t corrupt them or does so unintentionally and thus, should not be punished.

Life should be so simple.

Most of the time, what are offered to us as simple dilemmas are not dilemmas at all; they’re trilemmas or quadrilemmas or polylemmas of a far more complex sort.

“Either you’re with us or against us.” False! You could also be neutral.

“If evolutionary theory does not explain the origin of all life, then God must have created human beings.” False! Evolutionary theory can have some gaps but still be true or even if it is mistaken, there might be any number of other explanations other than theological ones.”

“If you loved me, you would understand.” False! I can love you with all my heart but still be clueless about what’s going on.

Rarely are our choices in life as black and white as they are in philosophy. Well, either they are or they aren’t. Or something else entirely.