> [...] should be popular with the people [...] IMO thee is some nuance here. Unlike the Judaic tradition, where intent shapes moral judgment, 5th-century BCE

> [...] should be popular with the people [...] IMO thee is some nuance here. Unlike the Judaic tradition, where intent shapes moral judgment, 5th-century BCE Greeks prioritised consequences over motivations. What mattered was the result, not the actor's internal disposition during or before the act. The Greek mythology, is philosophically relevant to the way they thought. In Hesiod's Theogony we find Dike. Dike, goddess of justice, renders decisions but relies on Zeus and his agents Kratos (strength) and Bia (force) to enforce them. Yet, even Zeus is bound by Themis, representing primordial institutions and order. This underscores that power must respect established customs and societal norms to endure. Disregarding these leads to downfall and replacement by a leader who upholds them. Should this bear any weight? Assuming humans are social animals - I don't see how it's something we should straight-up dismiss. Maybe there's a balance between making trials popularity contests and completely dismissing the public opinion. Socrates' trial reflects this principle. His judges, fearing unrest from his supporters, offered exile not out of personal sympathy, but to prevent revolt. The Greeks understood that governance depends on securing the support of key factions. No ruler, however autocratic, can disregard the foundational structures and collective will without risking collapse. IMO they were not wrong, this is true today as it was true back then.