Socrates played more than word games, though; he believed he had a mission from the gods to make people think and so he played mental games to provoke people into questioning all that they took for granted. His aim was to help people lead a good and fulfilling life but his mischievous methods led eventually to his trial on charges of mocking democracy and public morality, and of corrupting the youth, by teaching them to disobey their parents. When he was found guilty, he was allowed by law to suggest the penalty. Had he chosen exile this would surely have been granted. But, contentious as
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