In Athenian times, just like in the world today, people valued wisdom. When a young man preaches against the beliefs of many others, it is brushed aside by his age or blamed on his teachers. When you are known as a teacher and a great teacher in a certain society, you will be held responsible for upholding its views and laws. Right or wrong as an influence in Athenian times, Socrates was supposed to know what his associations and teachings would cause and perhaps that is why he expressed his opinions so clearly. He admits his need to be listened to. Socrates could have simply fed his ego through the courts, the all-powerful auditors, or perhaps he knew that if he did not change his mind in the courts and was put to death, he would be listed in the history forever, any press is good press. ! People now argue about what they believe when it comes to Socrates, because there is no real evidence of what he pushed people to.